The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-04-15

having brought up reinforcements, no
further progress could be made and
the Indian corps and the fourth corps
proceeded to consolidate the position
they had gained.
whilst these operations were going
on the first corps attacked in the
morning from Givenchy simultaneously
with the attack against Neuye Chap
pei. but as the enemy's wire was in
sufficiently cut little progress could
be made and the troops at this point
did little more than hold fast to the
Germans in front of them.
Attack Renewed
ION the following day. March II, the
attack was renewed by the Fourth and
Indian corps, but 1t soon was seen that a
further advance would be impossible I'M
til the artillery had dealt effectively with
the various houses and defended localities
which had held the troops up along the
entire front Efforts were made to direct
the artillery fire accordingly. but owing
to weather conditions, which did not per-
NIT of aerial observations and the fact
that nearly all telephone communications
between the artillery observers and their
batteries had been cut, it was impossible
to do so with sufficient accuracy.
when our troops which were pressing
forward occupied a house here and there,
ii was not possible to stop our artillery
fire, and the infantry had to be with
drawn. The two principal points which
barred the advance We're the same as on
the preceding day, namely. the enemy s
position about Moulin du Pietre and at
the bridge over the River Les Layes
ION March IL the unfavorable weather
conditions again prevailed and hampered
artillery action. although the Fourth and
Indian corps CALAMITY attempted to cap
ture strongly fortified positions on their
front. They We're unable to maintain
themselves, although they held the posi-
tions for some hours.
Operations this day were chiefly re-
markable for the violent counter attacks,
supported by artillery, delivered by the
Germans, and the ease with which they
We're repuised.
LAS most of the objects for which the
operations had been undertaken had been
attained and as there were reasons why
considered 1t inadvisabe to continue
the attack at that time, ! directed Gen
eral Sir Douglas Haig on the night of
the 18th to hold and consolidate the
ground gained by the Fourth and Indian
corps and suspend further offensive OPP
erations for the present.
ION the morning of the 18th INFORMED
the general officer commanding the
French army that he could call on the
Second cavalry division under General
Cough, for immediate support in the
event of the successes of the First army
opening up opportunities for its favorable
employment. This division and brigade
of the North Midland division which was
temporarily attached to ii was moved for
ward for this purpose. The Fifth cavalry
brigade under Sir Philip Chetwoode
reached the Rue Basquerot at y. m.
with view rendering immediate support,
but he was informed by the general Of
al. tl,t
the situation was not as favorable as he
lad hoped 1t would be and that no fur
Their action by the cavalry was advisable
General Coughs command therefore, re-
tired to Estaires.
Artillery Invincible
THE artillery of all kinds was
handled with the utmost energy and
skill and rendered invaluable support
in the prosecution of the attack.
1.-THE losses during these three days
fighting were, / regret to say, very
severe. numbering 100 officers and 2337
of other ranks killed; $40 officers and
STA of other ranks wounded and %
officers and 1928 of other ranks miss
ing. But the results attained We're, iii
my opinion, wide and far reaching.
THE enemy left several thousand
dead on the battlefield which were
seen and counted and we have positive
information that upward of 12,OOJ
wounded were removed to the north
east and east by train. Thirty officers
and 1850 of other ranks of the enemy
were captured"
General French closes his descrip
ton of the battle by quoting extracts
from the special order of the day eN-
pressing to Gen. Sir Douglas Haig the
warmest appreciation for the skilful
manner in which he carried out his
orders and the commander in chiefs
fervent appreciation of the maenifi-
cent gallantry displayed by all ranks
of tie first army.
The commander in chief then de-
scri5es briefly the action at st. Eloi
and minor oper atoms. He pays tribute
to the work of the flying corps
throughout the period under review
from February to April o.. Besides
close Reconnaissance, it's work in