New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-17
.BRUNT OF BATTLE
BORNE BY INDIANS
Sir John French Says the
Troops from Oversee
Have Lost Heavily.
WEATHER PREVENTS
MANY ASSAULTS
Commander Explains That Men
Charging Slowly Through Mud
Suffer Big Losses.

London, Feb. 16-The plea OF the
British public for the names OF the
military units taking part in brilliant
actions in France and Belgium has
been answered bv a special dispatch
from Sir John French, the British COM
mandcr in chief on the Continent, dated
al General Headquarters February z
and made public by the War once TO
day.
The dispatch consists mainly OF a
technical review of the fighting IN
which the British forces were con.
ccrned i'm November and December. and
it begins with King Georges visit 10
the front on November so, at time
when the strength and endurance OF
the troops had been tried TO the ut
most throughout the long and arduous
iattlc5 of Yprc5 and Armentleres.' he
presence of his majesty, Sir John
French says, "was the greatest posi-
BILE help and encouragement
The British commander in chIeE calls
attention to the fact that the course OF
the campaign has been largely lnfu-
cnced by the weather, and says that
recent developments in ornaments and
the latest methods of warfare have
added greatly to the difficulties Of the
British.
Charges in Mud Costly.
"The deadly accuracy. the range and
the qu.ck-dring capabilities of the mod
,n rifle and machine gun require that
a fre-swept zone be crossed IN the
shortest possible time by attacking
trooDs.' he writes. But If the men
are detained under the enemy's hre by
the difficulty Of emerging from the
vatcrloggcd trench and by the neces-
sity Of passing over ground knee deep
IN mud and -lush, such attacks become
virtually proh!Ditive, owing to the
losses they entail
This explains from the point OF view
of the leaders the slow progress or the
present trench warfare.
SIR John adds that his forces got
somewhat mixed up with the French
during the heavy fighting in November,
but subsequently he was able to con-
centrated his army on one area by hold
ing a shorter line and to establishing
effective reserves. He records the ex-
plots Of various regiments and units.
such as the capturing OF lines OF
trenches and the blowing up of farm
houses.
In nearly all these activities the Ind
ian troops figured prominently and lost
heavily. The Germans took 800 yards
Of the Indian trenches on one OCCASION
but subsequently, were driven out, al
though Sir John admits that the opera
ton was costly one.
Indians Play Important Part.
Several times the British troops capt
urcd positions, only to cvacuate them
because they were untenable. Such fire.
ouent mention is made Of the Indian
soldiers that they would appear to have
been bearing the brunt Of the fighting
OF Princess Patricia's regiment, the
Canadian organization, Sir John says:
They are o magnificent set Of men
and have done excellent work in the
trenches"
Eeinforccments have arrived from
England, Sir John adds, with remark
able promptitude aud rapidity. In ap-
pcarance and quality these men have
exceeded his most sanguine expecta-
tiOus.
Paying a tribute to the medical corps
he declares that the troops are free
from any epidemic. Only 500 cases OF
typhoid fever have occurred in the
army.