New-York tribune., 1914-11-30

Bile TO carry out the original plan OF
moving 20 Bruges.
The fighting gradually became bayo-
net charges. General French says that
October 2l brought forth the hardest
attack. made on the lst Corps ut fpres,
and in checking which the Worcester
shire regiment displayed great gal
lantry. This day marked the most
critical period in the great battle, ac-
cording to General French, who says
the recapture of the village Of Ghelu-
welt through a rally of the Worcester
shires was fraught with much conse-
qucnce TO the Allies.
Praises Indian Troops.
After referring TO some of the
battles in which the Indian troops took
part, Field Marshal French says:
"Since their arrival in this country
and their occupation of the line al
lotted to them ! have been much inn
pressed by the initiative and resource
displayed by the Indian troops. Some
of the ruses they have employed TO
deceive the enemy have been attended
with the best results. and have doubt
less kept the superior forces in front
of them at bay.
"Our Indian sappers and miners
have long enjoyed high reputation
for skill and resource. without going
into detail | can confidently assert
that throughout their work in this
campaign they have fully justified that
reputation.
1.-THE general officer commanding the
Indian army describes the conduct and
bearing Of these troops in strange and
new surroundings to have been highly
satisfactory, and | am enabled from
my own observations to fully corrooo-
rate this statement
General French goes on to say that
while the whole line continued TO be
heavily pressed the enemy's principal
efforts from November | had been
concentrated upon breaking through
the line held by the Ist British and the
9th French corps, and thus gaining
possession of the town of Ypre:.
Three Bavarian and one German
corps. in addition to other troops, were
all directed against this northern line,
according to General French.
About November 10, after several
units of these corps had been COM
pleteIy shattered in futile attacks,
General French continues. division
of the Prussian Guards, which had
been operating in the vicinity of Arra..
was moved up TO this area with great
speed and secrecy.
Documents found on dead officers.
the report says, proved that the guard
received the German Emperor's special
command to break through and sue
ceed where their comrades Of the line
had failed.
RepuIsed with Heavy Loss.
They took the leading part in the
vigorous attacks made against the cen
ire ON the 1lth and 18th, says General
French, but. like their comrades, were
renulsed with enormous casualties.
General French pays high tribute 70
Sir Douglas Haig and his divisional
and brigade commanders, who, he says,
"held the line with marvellous tenac-
itv and undaunted courage The field
marshal predicts that their deeds dur
ing these days of stress and trial Will
furnish some of the most brilliant
chsnters which will be found in the
military history of our time"
High praise also is paid the Sd Cav
alry Division, under Major General
Julian Byng, whose troops were re-
peatedly called upon 10 restore sltua-
tions at critical points and fill gaps
in the line caused by the tremendous
losses which occurred"
General French makes special men
ton of Colonel Gordon Chesney VIII
son, of the Royal Horse Guards; Major
the Hon. Hugh Dawnay. of the I'd Life
Guards, and Brigadier General Fitz-
clarence, of the Irish Guards. who were
killed. and Of Brigadier General the
Earl Of Cavan. who ION many occa-
sions was conspicuous for the skill,
coolness and courage with which he
led his troops"
or the flying corps the report says:
Every day new methods Of employ
ing them. both strategically and tao
tically. are discovered and put into
practice"
Concerning the territorials who have
been employed. the field marshal says
the conduct and bearing Of these units
under fire and the efficient manner IN
which they have carried out the duties
assigned TO them "has imbued me with
the highest hope as to the value ana
the help OF the territorial troops gen
erallyh "