THE TRANSFER OF THE BRITISH.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11112, 30 November 1914, Page 8

THE TRANSFER OF THE BRITISH.

FRENCH’S ACCOUNT OF OPERATIONS. OBJECT OF THE MOVEMENT. Received Nov. 30, 1.35 a.m. London, Nov. 39. Field Marshal French, in a despatch covering the battle of Ypr.es Armentieres, describes the transference of the British troops from the Aisne to Flanders for the purpose of strenuously supporting the Allies’ northern flank, and so ou.flanking the enemy, the excellent Anglo-French feeling rendering this delicate operation so successful. The despatch shows that about this time Major-General Rawlinson, with cavalry and infantry, was operating in support of the Belgian army and assisting in ,its withdraw- . al from Antwerp. Consequently the battle line in Flanders was formed by the British forces from the Aisne advancing northward, and Rawlinson falling back to the line of the Yser. It is noteworthy that the Field Marshal says the position at La Bassee throughout defied all at-' tempts at capture either hy the French or British. Rawlinson’s successful operations in the neighbourhood of Ghent and Antwerp had a great influence on the course of subsequent operations. His forces fought with the utmost -.gallantry without supports. A question of vital importance arose on the 19th Oct. The Belgians, after their hard fighting, were exhausted and needed support to resist the threatened tnrning movement which was calculated to ■ lay bare the French Channel ports. '■ Thereupon, at the risk of having to operate on an extended front elsewhere, he directed SirD.Haigh to move the first army corps northi; wards of Ypres so as to avoid snch disastrous consequences as being outflanked towards Calais. Haigb’s ' abject was to advance throughout : for the eventual capture of Bruges and subsequently, if possible, to drive the enemy towards Ghent. Haigh advanced, but owing to the large unexpected enemy’s reinforcements arriving, and pressing both British and French, he took up a position on the outskirts of Ypres. Meanwhile the remainder of the British line was successfully resist'ing the enemy’s desperate attacks with marvellous fighting power and indomitable courage. No 'more arduous task was ever assigned to British soldiers. Never was the call answered more magnificently. 1 desired after consultation with General Jutfre to hold our lines against the enemy’s attempts to outflank or break through, - Joffre promising reinforcements, and the Field-Marshal was present with Haigh at the' most critical moment of the whole great battle, when the first divisions were retiring at Hogue.