SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S DESPATCH.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 14329, 20 June 1917, Page 6

SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S DESPATCH.

SPLENDID WORK OF ENGINEERS AND TRANSPORT CORPS. lElec. .Tel. Copyright—United Press / ssn.") LAUStrailHu mill IM.A. CtUJlo AjsuciitUou., (Rece.ved June 20, 12.50 p.in-J LONDON, June 19. Sir Douglas Haig's despatches state: The syste.aatic destruction of roads, bridges, and 1 railways made unprecedented uemaiKis on the . Royal Engineers, who were already heavily burdened by the work entailed m preparations for the spring oheusiye. Our steady progress in-the face of great difficulties give the best testimony as to tlie energy aud thoroughness wherewith those demands ft™ met. The bridging of tlio Summe at Tirie is an example of the nature of the obstacles we confronted' and tin; rapidity of their removal! In this instance six gaps had to be bridged across the 'canal and river Somme, whereof there was considerable width, over a swift-flowing stream. >The work commenced ou the morning of March 18th and by 10 o'clock the same night the! infantry foot bridges were completed. By 5 o'clock on the morning of the 20th, a medium-type bridge lor horse transport and cavalry was completed. Ly k5 o'clock m the afternoon of the 28th a heavy bridge cajnable of taking all forms of traffic had replaced the lighter types. Throughout the winter transport problems were serious both m the battje area and behind the lines. On the rapid solution thereof success or failure necessarily largely depended at the close of last year's compaign. The steady growth of our armies and the rapid expansion of material resources already taxed the roads and railways to the utmost, ihe existing broad and narvuwgauge railways were insufficient to deal with the increasing traffic, an undue proportion whereof was thrown upon the roads. With winter conditions deteriorating them and the difficulties of maintenance, repair became almost overwhelming. An increase of railway facilities of every type, and on a large scale. became therefore imperatively • and urgently necessary. Great quantities of material and rolling stock were required immediately, while subsequent event? considerably augmented the large programme of new construction ,6ver tht area of the enemy's withdrawal. Tlie task df obtaining the amount of railway material required for carrying out the work of construction at the rate our plans rendered necessary, besides providing labor, and material to repair roads Ayas one of*the very greatest cliffieailties. Its successful accomplishmenl reflects the highest credit on the transporting service. i Sir Douglas Haig concludes: The loyal co-operation and complete mutual understanding between cur Allies and ourselves throughout the Somme battle was continued and strengthened by events m the winter, particularly the circumstances attending the enemy's withdrawal during the latter part of the period under review. The considerable tract of aountry won back to France by the combined efforts of the Allied troops was regarded with satisfaction. All ranks of the British Army m France at the same time wished to express their feeling of deep sympathy and profound regret, provoked at the sight of the destruction which war had brought to a once fair and prosperous countryside. 1i " ■