Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1919-04-15
HAIG AMAZED AT VICTORY

what will"
HAIG AMAZED AT VICTORY
British General Says Miraculous is the
Only Descriptive Word.
Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig, in
his final dispatch now made public
presents an important review Of the
war and describes in detail the ex-
pansion and achievements Of the Brit
ish army, with many remarkable facts
and figures. He treats the operations
on the western front as single con-
tinuous campaign, in which can be re-
cognized the same general features and
necessary stages that, between forces
of approximately equal strength, have
marked all the conclusive battles OF
history.
The high water mark Of our fight
ing strength in infantry" says the
British commander, was only reached
after two and a half years Of conflict
by which time heavy casualties had al
ready been incurred. 1t was not until
mid Summer, 1916, that the artillery
situation became even approximately
adequate to the conduct Of major oper-
ations.
During the Somme battle artillery
ammunition had to be watched with
the greatest care. During 1917 am
munition was plentiful, but the gur
situation caused anxiety. 1t was only
| in 1918 that artillery operations could
be conducted without any limiting con-
sideration beyond that Of transport.
"The margin with which the German
onrush Of 1914 was stemmed was sc
narrow and the subsequent struggle
was so severe that the word 'miracul-
ous' is entirely inadequate to des-
cribe the recovery and ultimate victory
of the Allies.
"The breakdown of Russia In 1917
probably prolonged the war by year
and the military situation in Italy IN
the Autumn Of 1917 necessitated the
transfer of FIVE British divisions tc
Italy at a time when their presence
in France might have had farreachine
effects"
| Sir Douglas records the interesting
fact that more than half the British
casualties in the fighting Of 1918 &C.
Cured during the five months from
March to July when the Allies were
on the defensive.
1.-THE rapid collapse Of Germanys
military powers in the latter half OF
1918, he says, twas the logical out
come of the fighting Of the previous
two years. It would not have taken
place but for that period Of ceaseless
attrition, which used up the German
reserves. It is in the great battles OF
1916 and 1917 that all have to seek for
the secret of our victory in 1918.
"The value Of cavalry in modern wal
is emphasized by Sir Douglas Haig
and. in discussing the value OF me-
chanical contrivances such as tanks
he observes that, immense as their In
Auence might have been, they couio
not bv themselves decide a campaign
Their true role is to assist infantry
mon by whose rifles and bayonets only
can decisive victory be won.
The expansion Of British personnel
artillery, ammunition, transport rail-
wav construction, and establishments
of every kind in France Is dwelt upon
nv the field marshal. Regarding ma
chine guns, the British equipment IN
creased from one gun to 500 infantry-
men in 1914 to one to twenty imam
trvmen in 1918. The 4S6 pieces Of ar
tulery with which the British took the
field in 1914 were represented at the
date Of the armistice by 6,437.
IN the first day Of the Somme bat
tie in 1916 nearly $4,000 tons OF ar
tulery ammunition were fired by the
british on the Western front On two
davs Sept. 20 and 21, 1917, $4,000 tons
were expended, and in the three days
~ the crucial battle Of Sept q, 2S and
% 1918, nearly $4,000 tons were nreo
by the British artillery.
| Sir Douglas Haig says that the fea-
ture of the war which to the historian
may we'll appear most noteworthy Is
tho creation of the new British army
which was successfully built up In the
very midst of the war.
1.-THE total of more than S27,Ooo Ger
man prisoners captured by us on tne
western 'front.'" says Sir Douglas Is
in striking contrast to the force OF si'
divisions, comprising some $4,000 hgnt'
ing men. with which we entered the
war. That we should have been apl'
n accomplish this stupendous task L
due partly to the loyalty and devotlor
of our Allies and to the splendid wori
Of the Royal Navy, but mainly to tn'
wonderful spirit Of the British race IL
all parts of the world"
with respect to the use OF cavalry
Sir Douglas Haig contends that IN th'
light Of full experience of the war; th'
decision to preserve the cavalry corps
has been completely justified.
"It has been proved" he adds, tina
cavalry, whether used for shock erect
under suitable conditions, or as mo-
bile infantry, have still an indispensa
BILE part to play in modern war. More
over, It cannot safely be assured tha
in all future wars the flanks Of the op'