The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-04-11
FINAL REPORT Of
HAIG GIVES MANY
IMPORTANT FACTS
Commander Reviews
Whole War as One COntinu-
GUS Campaign and Cites
figures to Show Superiority


LONDON. April IL. British wireless
service Field Marshal Sir Douglas
Haig in his final dispatch, now made
public, presents an important review
OF the war and describes in detail the
expansion and achievements Of the
British army. with many remarkable
facts and figures. He treats operations
on the western front as a single con-
llnuous campaign in which can be
recognized he same general features
ana necessary stages. that, between
forces OF approximately equal strength,
nave marked all the conclusive battles
OF history.
The high-water mark Of our fight
ing strength In infantry" saws the
British commander, "was only reached
after two and Il half years Of conflict
oy which time heavy casualties had
already been incurred. 1t was not until
midsummer, 1916, that the artillery
situation became even approximately
adequate TO the conduct 81 major OPP
erations.
During the somme battle artillery
ammunition had to be watched with
the greatest care, During 1917 am
munition was plentiful but the gun sit
uatlon caused anxiety. II was only
IN 1918 that artillery operations could
pc conducted without any limiting con-
sideration beyond that OF transport.
The margin with which the Ger.
a onrush Of 1914 was stemmed was
30 narrow and the subsequent struggle
was so severe that the word 'miracu-
lous' is hardly too strong a term to
describe the recovery and ultimate VIC
tory OF the allies.
The breakdown OF Russia in 1917
probably prolonged the war by a year
and the military situation in Italy in
the autumn OF 1917 necessitAted the
transfer of five British divisions to
Italy at a time when their presence in
France might have made far-reachlng
effects"
Sir Douglas records the interesting
fact that more than half the British
casualties IN the fighting OF 1918 oc-
Cured during the five months from
March 70 July when the allies were on
the defensive.
The rapid collapse of Germany's
military powers In the later half OF
1915 he says, was the logical out
come or the fighting Of the previous
two years. 1t would not have taken
place but for that period of ceaseless
reserves, IT'S in The great battles OF
l9l6 and 1917 that all have to seek
for the secret OF our victory in 1918"
TIT value of cavalry in modern war,
IS emphasized ny Sir Douglas and in
discussing the value Of mechanical con
- ~ HNAI no lhiihBt HG ODEGTttS.
that, immense as their Influence might
rave been, they could not by themselves
uecide a campaign, Their true role is
10 assist infantrymen by whose rifles
and bayonets only can decisive victory
be won. Tie expansion Of British per-
sonnet artillery, ammunition, transport,
railway construction and establishments
OF every Kind In France Ia dwelt upon
by the field marshal Regarding ma
chine guns the British equipment in
creased from one gun to each 500 in
tantrymen In 1914 TO one to each 20
infantrymen in 1918. The $50 pieces
Of artillery with which the British took
me teld IN l9l4, were represented at
the date Of tho armistice by 6,4S7.
\ on the first day OF the Somme bat
tie in 1916 nearly 10 200 tons of artillery
ammunition were fired by the British
on the western front. On two days,
September 20 and 81, 1917, $4,000 tons
q the crucial battle On September 81,
" and 70, 1918, nearly 65, 900 0 n were
fired by the British artillery.
Sir Douglas says that the feature
Of the war which to the historian NAV
well appear most noteworthy IL the
creation OF the new British army, which
was successfully built UP In the very
midst Of war.
THE total OF, more than 2 1000 Ger
man prisoners captured hv us on the
western 'front.', SAYS Sir Douglass, lis
In striking contrast to the force of six
divisions, comprising some 10000 fight
ing men with which we entered the
war That we should have been able
to accomplish THIS stupendous task Is
due partly to the loyalty and devotion
OF u allies and to the splendid work
0f the royal navy but mainly to the
wonderful spirit OF the British race In
all parts Of the world"