The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1919-05-06
GLORIOUS BRAVERY
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break on the Goth. and orders to that
effect were accordingly issued.
determined to direct the march on
St. Quentin and Noyon. The troops
were to be held so rntrated as to
enable nc to take Immediate advantage
Of any change in the situation which
might check tho retreat and offer IA
vorable opportunity for taking the Of
fensivc. Failing such developments. my
idea was TO concentrate behind the
Sommc or the Uise. Behind such bar
rier should NC able 10 rest tho troops.
fill up casualties and deficiencies in
material and remain ready to act etfec-
lively with the allies in whatever di-
reCtion circumstances might dictate.
Tho retreat had been resumed at day
break. and at 6 p. m. all the troops Of
the Second corps were on tho lie Catran
line except McCrlckcn's brigade. which.
as before described. had been obliged &c
stand and fight at Solesmcs. The First
corps. however. was delayed in starting
for several hours and was only able to
reach the neighborhood of Landrccies.
Be that at the conclusion of the days
march n somewhat dangerous gap eH-
listed between the First and Second
corps. which caused. me considerable
anxiety In the small hours Of the morn
ing Of the 96th.
When darkness fen on the 25th the
enemy had sent forward advance troops
IN motors and lorrtcs through the Forct
dc Normal in pursuit Of the First
Corps. This eliminated in violent at
tack on Landrccies. which. however,
was splendidly driven off with heavy
/ -14 z.o,, 49, ~ IT,. 1.
(Guards) brigade under Rrigadier Cen
eral Scott-Kerr.
With reference to this action the fol-
lowing is an extract from O. lett er which
despatched to Lord Kitchener on Aug
ust 27th:
1.-THE Fourth brigade were fighting in
| the early morning in the streets of
Landrecics. A German infantry COL
| umn. about the strength Of a brigade,
emerged from the wood north Of town
and advanced south in the closest or
der. filling up the narrow street
1.-TWO or three of our machine guns
were brought TO bear on this magnifi-
| cent target from the other end Of the
town. The head Of the column was
checked and stopped. frightful panic
ensucd. and It is estimated that. in a
very few minutes, no less than 500 ar
900 dead and wounded Gerzans were
lying in the streets"
Sir Douglas Haig although his troops
| were very tired and handicapped also by
heavy rear guard lighting. still proceed
ed to carry out The instructions he had
received. and the retirement Of the
First Corps was continued in excellent
order and with complete efficiency
Things did not 20 SO we'll with the
Second Corps. General Allcnhy, who
had been most ably covering che ret rcat
Of the army with his cavalry. had
already materially assisted the rear
guard Of the Third division TO suTmount
their difficulties at SolesmcS Nc
Crackcn's brigade (Scvrnth-Third bat =
talon Worcester regiment. Second bat
TALON South Lancashire First battalion
Wits rcEimcnt and Second battalion
Royal Irish R6es) did not reach lie
Cateau position until 10 or II p. m. on
the 18Th. His men were. Of course
nearly done up. and he had suffered Sc
we're losses
Colonel AnseIl, commanding the Fifth
Dragon Guards, one Of the finest cav
airy leaders in the army, who fell at
the head Of his reEim ent few days
later. gave information to General Al
lenby at about a. m regarding The
nature Of the German advance. This
seemed Of such great Importance that
the latter ut once sought out Sir Hor-
acc Smith-Dorrien and warned him that
unless he was prepared to continue his
march at daybrcak, he would most
probably be pinned down to his position
and woud be unable TO get away. Sir
Horace asked General Allcnby what in
his opinion, were tho chances he had n
he remained and held the position. add
ing that he fcE convinced his troops
were SO exhausted as 10 preclude the
possibility Of removing them for some
hours 10 come. hfenby's reply WAS
that he thought. unless the commander
of the Second Corps made up his mind
to move at daybrcak. the enemy prob
ably would succeed in surrounding him.
Nevertheless. Sir Horace determined
to fight. Az to this decision. Il COM
mardrr on the spot and in close touch
with his divisions and brigadcs is in
tho best position TO judge Of whm his
men can do.
l had. late on the evening Of tho 25th.
before leaving for my headquarters at
ST. Quentin. visited several units Of Tho
Second Corps In their bvouacS and.
though tired indeed, they had not
ST ruck me as being worn cut troops.
BY tho break CT day on tho Goth tho
Fifth division on the right had secured
several hours rest. TIL" same p,ay be
said Of the Eighth and Ninth brGadcs.
which came next in the line. Tho Sew
cnth brigade had only just arrived At
cantonments at 10 p. IN. nr II p. m. on
tho e5th after heavy days march and
some severe fighting, but they could in
such an emergency have marched at
dawn. Tho Fourth division on tho left
OF the Second corps was comparatively
fresh.
visited IN particular ono artillery
brigade, some Of whose guns had been
saved from capture on The previous day
by the cavalry. The brigade command
or broke down with emotion ns he re-
counted to me the glorious bravery dis
played by Francis Grenfcll III the Ninth
Lanccrs.
This brigade fought magniticently for