Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1915-04-16

batteries had been cut 1t was impos-
sible 10 do so with sufficient accuracy.
Indian Trops Gallant.
Whenever our troops which were
pressing forward occupied house
here and there II was not possible TO
stop our artillery fire and the infan-
try had TO be Withdrawn The two
principal points which barred the
advance were the same as on the pre-
ceding day. namely, the enemy's posi-
ton about Moulin du Pierre and at the
bridge over the river Les Layes
"On March L.. the same unfavora-
BILE conditions as regards the weather
prevailed and hampered the artillery
action although The Fourth and Fifth
Indian corps CALAMITY attempted TO
capture strongly fortified positions on
their front They were unable TO
maintain themselves although they
succeeded in holding the positions for
some hours
The operations on this day We're
chiefly remarkable for the violent
counter-attacks. supported by artillery
which were delivered By the Germans
and the ease with which they were
repulsed
Suspcnds Operations.
As most Of the objects for which
the operations had been undertaken
had been attained and as there were
reasons why considered II tnadvis-
able to continue the attack al that
time | directed General Sir Douglas
Haig on the night of the 9Th TO hold
ana consolidate the ground which had
been gained by the fourth and Indian
corps. and suspend further offensive
operations for the present
"On the morning of the 18th, l in
formed the general officer command
ing the French army that he could
call on the second cavalry division un-
der General Cough for immediate
support IN the event of the successes
Of the first army opening up oppor-
tunities for It's favorable employment.
This division and brigade of the
north midland division which was
temporarily attached TO IL was moved
forward for this purpose The fifth
cavalry brigade under Sir Philip
Chetwode. reached the Rue Bacque-
rot nj 4 p. m with a view Of render
ING immediate support but he was In
formed by the general officer com
handing the fourth corps that the sit
nation was not as favorable as he had
hoped Il would he, and that no fur
Their action BY the cavalry was ad-
Visahle. His command. therefore, re-
tired 10 Estaires
Artillery Well Handled.
THE artillery of all kinds was ham
died with the utmost energy and skill
and rendered Invaluable support in
the prosecution OF the attack
The losses during these three days
fighting were, | regret TO say very
severe. numbering 1870 officers and
2.S37 Of other ranks killed; 359 off
GERS ard STA OF other ranks wounded
ana 20 officers and LES cf other
ranks missing But the results at
tanned were in my opinion wide and
far reaching.
THE enemy left several thousand
dead on the battlefield which were
seen and counted and we have posi-
tive Information that upwards OF H.
Geo wounded were removed to the
northeast and east by train.
Thirty officers and 1867 Of other
ranks OF the enemy were captured. f"
Compliments subortlinatcs.
General French closes his descrip-
ton OF the battle by quoting extracts
from the special order Of the day ex-
pressing TO General Sir Douglas Haig
the warmest appreciation for the
skillful manner IN which he carried
out his orders and the commander-ln-
chiefs fervent appreciation OF the
/ magnificent gallantry displayed By an
the ranks of the first army.
The commander in-ohief then de-
scribes briefly the action OF ST Flol
and minor operations He PAYS TIL.
butte 10 the work OF the flying corps
throughout the period under review
from February . to April s. Besides
close reconnaissance. its work includ-
ed the destruction Of various points Of
the German communications most OF
which. General French SAYS. were ct
tackled from a height Of one hundred
20 one hundred ana fifty feet In one
case q pilot descended to about fiftv
feet above the point he was attack
ing
German Ayiators Not Active.
There have been only eieht davs
turing the period under review. CEN
efai French continues. on which re-
eonnaissances have not been made 1
F total 81 approximately $50 coo miles
mas been flown. almost entirely over
me enemy lines No great activity
mas been shown above our troops on
me part Of the enemys air craft Int
theN have been attacked whenever ana
Wherever they were met with, and US