Item 0023
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| Accession number | 912L : 2090/14 |
|---|---|
| Transcription |
A 25 W The men went at it , yelling and shouting , and the shells with its unfailing regularity pouring out was artillery German the this gap forces . On the gradually closing German ring with the bayonet . BRITISH INFANTRY'S GREAT BAYONET CHARGE THROUGH ENVELOPING GERMAN FORCES . were expecting support but this 1 , the enemy crept round , and the British fore , pe avoid being encircled , charged There was a great feat of arms at Solesmes , east of Cambrai , on August 26th . A number of British infantry regiments held an to is d . suppor s 108 SPECIAL ORDER OF THE DAY By FIELD - MARSHAL SIR JOHN FRENCH , G.C.B. , G.C.V.O. , K.C.M.G. , Commander - in - Chief , British Army in the Field . 1. Having for 25 days successfully held the line of the River Aisne , between Soissons and Villers , against the most desperate endeavours of the enemy to break through ; that memorable battle has now been brought to a conclusion , so far as the British Forces are concerned , by the operation which has once more placed us on the left flank of the Allied Armies . 2. At the close of this important phase of the campaign , I wish again to express my heart - felt appreciation of the services performed throughout this trying period by the officers , non - commissioned officers and men of the British Field Forces in France . Printing Co. , R.E.G.II.Q. " 128 . 3. Throughout nearly the whole of that 25 days a most powerful and continuous fire of artillery , from guns of a calibre never used before in field operations , covered and supported desperate infantry attacks , made in the greatest strength and directed at all hours of the day and night on your position . Although you were thus denied adequate rest and suffered great losses , in no one case did the enemy attain the slightest success , but was invariably thrown back with immense loss . 4. The powerful endurance of the troops was further greatly taxed by the cold and wet weather which prevailed during the greater part of the time . 5. Paragraph 2 of the Special Order of the Day , August 22nd , ran as follows : All the regiments comprising the Expeditionary Force bear on their colours emblems and names which constantly remind them of glorious victories achieved by them in the past . I have the most complete confidence that those regiments , as they stand to - day in close proximity to the enemy , will not only uphold the magnificient traditions of former days , but will add fresh laurels to their standards . " I cannot convey what I feel with regard to the conduct of the troops under my command better than by expressing my conviction that they have justified that confidence well and nobly . 6. That confidence is everywhere endorsed by their fellow countrymen ; and , whatever may be before the British Army in France , I am sure they will continue to follow the same glorious path till final and complete victory is attained . SPECIAL BRIGADE ORDERS General Headquarters , - 16th October , 1914 . ( Sd . ) J. D. P. FRENCH , Field - Marshal , Commander - in - Chief , The British Army in the Field . I wish to express to the 2nd Cavalry Brigade my extreme pride and satisfaction with their conduct in the severe engagement at Audrenies on Monday , August 24th . The fight was neessary to save the 5th Division from an organised counter attack during their retirement , and the object was achieved by the steady and gallant conduct of the Brigade . I value the devotion of my Brigade , Major General Sir Charles Ferguson ( commanding the 5th Division ) thanked me personally for saving his Division , adding that but for the cavalry Brigade his Division would have been destroyed to the last man . I especially wish to commend the true cavalry spirit of the 9th Lancers in daring to charge unbroken infantry in order to save neighbouring troops , and that of the Dragoon Guards in the effective support given without hesitation or thought of danger . 28th August , 1914 . I intend to bring to the notice of higher authority how greatly Comd 2nd Cavalry Brigade . Le Plessis , August 28th 1914 . This order to be read to all units on Parade tomorrow . Brig - Gen De Lisle . |
