Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-04-15
FRENCH CONFIRMS
BATTLE BLUNDER
Field Marshal, in Report on
Fighting at Neuve Chapelle, Re-
fers to Needless Delay.
ORDER NOT FULLY OBSERVED
Estimates British Losses at More
Than 10000 and German Cas-
ualties Above That.

Especial Gable to The Times-Dispatch. !
LONDON. April 14.-Reports which
have been current for several days to
tho effect that '.somc one had blund-
cred at Ncuve Chapelle, were con-
hrmed tonight. when the press bureau
made public n long dispatch from Field
Marshal French. reviewing the battle
considerable delay occurred after
the capture OF Neuvc Chapelle,", the
Held marshal writes. The infantry
were disorganized By the violent nature
OF the attack"
Further along he adds:
Il am of the opinion that this delay
would not have occurred had the clear
ly-expressed order of the commander
OF the first army been more carefully
Observed
General French estimates the British
losses in the three days lighting as
follows:
Killed. 100 officers: 2.3s7 men.
Wounded. 359 officers; s.l7i men.
Missing, 90 officers; 1.7oS men.
Field Marshal Frcnchs report con-
tinues:
The enemy left several thousand
dead on the field, and we have positive
information that upwards OF $4,000
wounded were removed by train.
Thirty officers and 1867 of other ranks
were captured"
REPORT is PUBLISHED
IN OFFICIAL GAZETTE
Field Marshal French's report which
covers the battles OF Nueve ChapslIe
and st. Eloi, under date of April ), was
published in the Official Gazette to-day.
The commander-in-chi writes:
The event OF chief interest and i'm
portance is the victory achieved over
the enemy in the battle of Nueve
Chapellc. fought March 10. II and l2
The main attack was delivered BY
the troops OF the First Army under
General sir Douglas IIaig, supported
by large force OF heavy artillery. a
division of cavalry and some infantry
of tho general reserve. Secondary and
holding attacks and demonstrations
were made along the front OF the
Second Army, under direction OF its
commander, Sir Horace Smith Dorrien
whilst the success attained was due
10 the magnificent hearing and in
domitable courage displayed by the
troops OF the Fourth and Indian Corps
consider that the able and skillful
dispositions which were made by the
general officer commanding the First
Army contributed largely to the defeat
OF the enemy and 10 the capture OF his
position.
ACTION BROUGHT ABOUT
ny SURPRISE ATTACK
Another action of considerable i'm
poriance was brought abou, by sur
prise attack made by the Germans on
March Ii. against the Twenty-seventh
Division. holding IN" trenches cas-: OF
ST. Eloi. A'larGe force of artillery Was
concentrated in this area under the
cover of mist. and a heavy volume
OF ire was suddenly brought To bear on
the trenches.
AT o'clock in the afternoon this
artillery attack was accompanied by
two mine explosions, and in tho con-
fusion caused by these and by the sud
denness of the attack the position OF
ST. Eloi was captured and held for
some hours by the enemy.
Well directed and vigorous counter
attacks in which the troops OF the
Fifth Army Corps showed great brav-
cry and determination. restored the
situation by the evening OF the nf-
teenth."
OPERATIONS LEADING UP
TO ATTACK on TOWN
The dispatch describes further opcra :
tions. saying:
"On February a brilliant action hv
the troops OF the First Corps material
y improved our position i'm the area
south OF La Bassee Canal During the
iu1t
Guards and the Third Battalion OF the
Coldstream Guards had gained ground
from which converging fire could be
directed on the fianks and rear of
brick stacks occupied by the Germans,
which had been for some time a source
OF considerable annoyance.
AT " r. ". the affair commenced
with a severe bombardment of the
brick stacks and the cnemy's trenches
~ brisk attack by the Coldstream
Guards and Irish Guards from our
trenches west OF the brick stacks fol-
lowed. and was supported by the fire
from the thanking position which had
been seized the previous night by the
same regiments.
The attack succeeded: the brick
stacks were occupied without dif.
iShllS, anu IL me was establish ed
north and south through Il point about
forty yards east of the brick stacks.
The casualties suffered by the Fifth
Corps throughout the period under re-
view and particularly during the month
of February have been heavier than
those on other parts of the line. re-
gret this, but do not think, taking all
circumstances into consideration. that
they were unduly numerous.
THEIR POSITION ALWAYS
VULNERABLE PART OF LINE
The position then occupied by the
Fifth Corps had always been n very
vulnerable part OF our lines. The
ground was marshy, and trenches
were difficult to construct and main
tain. The Twenty-seventh and Twen-
ty-eighth Divisions Of tho Fifth Corps
had had no previous experience In
European warfare. and number OF
Continued on Second Page.)
CRUISER KRoNPKlNZ WILHELM.
Use c. & o. to Norfolk. Steamer yir.