Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-04-15
BLUNDERS HALTED
BRITISH ADVANCE,
SAYS GEN. FRENCH
Orders of General Haig
Not Followed by Disor-
ganized Infantry After
Capture of Neuve Cha
pale.

LONDON, April Is.
Biunders committed by British com
ruanders cost the army many unnecessary
lives In the capture OF Neuve Chapelc
and prevented the victory from assuming
greater proportions. according TO Field
Marshal Sir John French's official report
which says:
"Considerable delay occurred after the
capture Of Neuve Chapelle. and the in
fantry was greatly disorganized. l am OF
the opinion that this delay would not
have occurred had the clearly expressed
order of the general officer commanding
the first army been more carefully OBJ
served.
"The difficulties enumerated might have
been overcome earlier In the day II the
general officer commanding the 4th Corps
had been able TO bring his reserve bri-
Gades more speedily into action
Another sentence in Sir John Frcnch's
report says:
''when our troops, which were pressing
forward occupied house here and there.
Il was not possible to stop our artillery
fire and the infantry had to be with
drawn"
The Field Marshal reports the British
losses in the three days fighting at
Neuve Chapele as follows:
Killed, 100 officers, 2S37 men; wounded
$50 officers, STA other rank; missing, q
officers, 1928 men; total casualties, 1851.
He says that the Germans left several
thousand dead on the field and that the
British have positive information that up
ward of 1900 wounded were removed by
trains. Thirty officers and 1867 of other
rank were captured.
while tho success attained was due
to the magnificent bearing and Indomi-
table courage displayed by the troops of
the Fifth and Indian Corps says the
Field Marshal, IL consider that the able
and skilful dispositions which were made
by the general officer commanding the
first army contributed largely to the de-
feat of the enemy and to the capture of
his position. The energy and vigor with
which General Sir Douglas Haig handled
his command show him to be leader
OF great ability and power"
Concerning the Canadian troops en-
gagged in the battle, Sir John says:
"on the 18th Of February the Canadian
division began to arrive. It presented
splendid and most soldler-like appear
nnce. The men were hard and fit Quite
able. I judged to take their places in
the line OF battle.
'Slnce then the division has thoroughly
Justified the good opinion which l formed
of 1t. The troops of the Canadian divi-
sion were first attached for few days
by brigades for training in the Sd Corps
trenches under Lieutenant General Sir
William Pulteney, who gave me such an
excellent report of their efficiency that l
was able to employ them in the trenches
early in March.
During the battle of Neuve Chapelle
they held part of the line allotted to the
1st Army. Although they We're not ac-
tually engaged in the main attack. they
rendered valuable help by keeping the
enemy actively employed in front of their
trenches"
General French's report pays a high
tribute to the Canadian troops "All the
Canadians serving in the army he says,
.'have splendidly upheld the traditions of
the empire and have proved a great
source of additional strength to the
forces"