Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-05-30
Sir Douglas Haig, English
Commander on Western
Front, Calls Defense "Wor-
thy of AIIy'S Traditions,
SIXTY LOCAL ACTIONS
WITHIN FIVE MONTHS
Daring "Cutting Parties," or
Trench Raids, Described in
Extensive Report by English
Chief.

10y SoRnaa JOURNAL SPECIAL lrAssp wssl
London, May 2g.---.General Str
Douglas flaig. commander OF the Brit
ish forces In France and Belgium, In
a dispatch covering the operations OF
the British army In that territory from
December . last when he took over
the command, until May 10, pays high
praise TO the French defense at ver-
dun and reviews in detail the action In
which the British have taken part
During this period" he says, the
only offensive effort made by the
enemy on n great scale was directed
against our French allies near Nerdun.
The fighting in that area has been
prolonged and severe. The results
have been worthy of the traditions of
the French army and of great service
TO the cause OF the allies.
Enemy Losses Heavy.
THE efforts made by the enemy
have caused him heavy losses, both In
men and in prestige, and he has made
these sacrifices without gaining any
to counter balance them,
During this struggle my troops
have been in readiness to cooperate
as they might be needed, but the only
assistance asked for by our allies was
of an indirect nature, namely, the
relief of the French troops on por-
ton of their defensive front This re-
lief | was glad TO he able TO afford
Its execution On 4 considorable front,
every whore in close touch with the
enemy, was a somewhat delicate oper-
alton, but 1t was carried out with
complete success, thanks to the cor
dial cooperation ana goodwill of all
ranks concerned and TO the lack of
enterprise shown by the enemy during
relief"
British Struggle Continuous.
While no action comparable with
that at Nerdun has been fought on
the British front, General Halg says
the British struggle has been continu-
Gus ana that there have been many
sharp local actions The maintenance
and repair of the trenches alone en-
tailed constant and heavy work. He
speaks Of the continual activity of
the artillery. infantry, airmen and
sappers and miners, and adds.
"Ever-present threats cause a more
constant strain than any other form
Of warfare
Sixty Local Actions.
There were sixty local actions dur
Ing the period under review. some of
which, says General Haig, although
Individually insignificant in war on
such an immense scale, would have
been considered worthy of n separate
dispatch under different conditions"
The British commander makes spe-
,ial mention OF raids or cutting out
which have been made at
east two or three times Il week
against the enemy lines.
Describes Cutting Out Parties"
"They consist he says, "of a brief i
lttack, with some special object, on %
section of the opposing trenches. and
ire usually carried out at night by a I
mail body of men. The character OF /
hcse operations, the preparation Of +
he road through our own ana the
incmy's wires, the crossing of open
,round, the unseen penetration OF the
nomys trenches, hand -to-hand fight
ng in the darkness, and the unccr-
ainty as 10 the strength of the op-
losing force. give peculiar cases OF
-allantry dash and quickness OF deci-
ion Of the troops engaged, and much
kin ana daring are frequently dis
'layed in these operations.
British Take Initiative.
"The initiative IN these minor oper-
tions has been taken and, on the
Whole, has been held by us. but the
icrmans recently have attempted
ONE bold and well-coneeived raids
gainst our lines, many of which have
cen driven back, although some sue
eeded in penetrating"
General Haig mentions the arrival
( the Anzacs and South Africans and
dditlonaI Canadian forces in France, +
nd says that this made possible the
iking over Of greater extent of
-ont lie then tells OF the improve
lent IN tho different branches Of the
rmy and in the health of the armies.
Ic says
Sick Rate Low
"The sick rate has been consistently
wv There has been no serious epi-
emic. and entcric fever, the bane of
rmies in the past, has almost en-
rely disappeared owing To preventive
leasures cnergetically carried out"
The dispatch closes with a tribute
Field Marshal Viscount French, {
ho. says General fIaig starting the
ar with our small eXpeditlonary
,rce, faced an enemy far superior in 1
umbers and fully prepared for this
reat campaign"
Tribute 10 French.
During the long and anxious time |
ceded for the improvising of the 1