SIR JOHN FRENCH’S DESPATCH

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9094, 13 July 1915, Page 6

SIR JOHN FRENCH’S DESPATCH

AN ILLUMINATIVE NARRATION By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON, July 11. Field-Marshal Sir John French, in a despatch referring to tho attack upon the sth Army Corps at Frezenberg, states: “A vastly superior German artillery fire, with unlimited ammunition, made it impossible to make efficient trenches or a properly organised line. After gas attacks, the German bombardment was finally concentrated on the morning of May Bth upon a line north and south of Frczenberg. The German fire completely obliterated the trenches, and caused enormous losses. A heavy infantry attack followed, causing our line to give way.” LieutenanLGeneral Sir H. Plumer narrates: ‘‘During tho morning of the Bth the right of one brigade was broken, then the centre, then part of the left. The next brigade. Princess Patricia’s Canadians, however, stuck to the trenches throughout tho day. By midday, the centre of another brigade had been broken, hut the Ist Suffolks, forming the right of the brigade, held on. They were apparently surrounded and overwhelmed. We launched a counter-attack at 3.30, which reached Frczenberg, hut were driven back.” General Plumer concludes: ‘Despite tho severe shelling and many casualties, the spirit of all ranks was excellent. The enemy’s losses, particularly on the 10th and 13th, were unquestionably serious.” ENEMY’S USE OF GAS.

Sir John French continues: “Desultory fighting went on to May 24th, when there was a violent outburst of gas along nearly the whole front. A most determined attack was made east of Ypres. A large proportion of the men were and the attack was too sudden to give them time to put on their respirators. The 2nd Royal Irish and the 9th Argylls were overcome by gas and driven put a farm on the front of our line, which the enemy fortified. All attempts to retake it failed. We took up a position slightly in the rear of our old line.”

PRAISE FOR THE FLYING CORPS. Sir John French continues: “The Flying Corps is becoming a more and more indispensable factor in combined operations. The officers have shown marked ingenuity in devising improvements in tactics. Since my last despatch there has been a considerable increase in the number anil activity or the German aeroplanes. There have been sixty combats in the air, in which not one British aeroplane was lost. Most of the encounters were over the Gorman lines, but it is known that six German aeroplanes were wrecked, and many others chased down ana forced to land. THE NEW ARMY.

“Some divisions of the New Army have reached France, and ought to prove a valuable addition to our fighting force. They appear to be thoroughly well officered and commanded. Their equipment is in good order and efficient, and the shooting of their artillery is extremely good. They are quite fit to take their places m tlie line. The pioneer battalions have created a very favourable impression. The officers are keen and ingenious, and the men are good of physique, and good diggers. Experience has shown that the Territorials have now reached a standard of efficiency enabling them to be usefully employed in complete divisional units at, whatever kind ef work. The units have borne an active, distinguished ' part, and have proved themselves thoroughly reliable and efficient. General Joffre, on Mav 27th, inspected the’ 7th Division, and expressed appreciation of their appearance on parade. FINE FIGHTING SPIRIT.

“Despite the constant strain, owing to the arduous nature of the fighting, the spirit animating all ranks remains high. lam confident the men will meet every demand on them with the utmost cheerfulness. This spirit is particularly manifest among the men in the hospitals, even those who are mortally wounded. The invariable question that comes to the lips of those hardly able to utter a sound is: ‘How are things going at the front?’ ’’ Sir John French pays a tribute to General Sir Douglas Haig’s valuable services at Festuhert, and General Sir H. Flumcr’s fine defence of Ypres. BATTLE OF FESTUBEBT.

Referring to the battle of Festuhert, Sir John French states; “In pursuance of a promise given General Joffre to support an attack his troops wore making on May 9th at Arras, I directed General Sir Douglas Haig to attack the trenches at Rougehanc. He found the position much stronger than he anticipated, and a more extensive artillery preparation was necessary to crush the resistance offered by the numerous fortified posts. Repeated efforts at progress on the 9th and 10th were violent. The enemy’s machineguns from posts on the flanks rendered the trenches so difficult to hold that all the units of the 4th Army Corps had to retire.

CANADIANS PUSH ON THE WHOLE LINE. ‘‘l sanctioned General Haig’s proposal to concentrate all his resources upon a southern point of attack. Misty weather prevented the action recommencing before the 15th, when I placed the Canadian Division at General Haig’s disposal. During the night of tho 20th, tho Canadians brilliantly seized several trenches, pushing on the whole line several hundred yards and capturing maohme-guns. By tho 24th the immediate object of the attack did not exist, so I directed General Haig to consolidate the ground w r on.

“Tho battle of Festubert resulted in 60t) yards won along a front of four miles. The enemy suffered very heavy losses. Wo captured ten machine-guns and destroyed a number of others. “Throughout the 3rd Army Corps w 4 as active making demonstrations and holding tho enemy on its front.”