THE HISTORY OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN FORCES IN FRANCE [Illustration: DELVILLE WOOD.] THE HISTORY OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN FORCES IN FRANCE BY JOHN BUCHAN THOMAS NELSON AND SONS, LTD. LONDON, EDINBURGH, AND NEW YORK PREFACE. In the autumn of 1916 I was asked by the Union Government to undertake the official History of the South African Forces in Europe. At the time I was serving in France, and had therefore an opportunity to see something of the Infantry Brigade. For various reasons I was unable to begin the work until after the signing of the Armistice: since which date I have had at my disposal all official papers, and have received the assistance of many South African officers. I desire to express my gratitude to Major-General Sir H. T. Lukin, Brigadier-General Dawson, Brigadier-General Tanner, and the various battalion and battery commanders for the help they have given me. I would especially thank Major H. P. Mills of the Third Regiment, but for whose unwearying co-operation the book could not have been written. My aim has been to tell as simply as possible the story of a great military achievement, to my mind one of the finest in the whole history of the campaigns; and, at the same time, to provide a detailed account of the operations of the infantry and the other services, which, I trust, may be of interest as a war record both for the men who fought and for the country which sent them forth. J. B. CONTENTS. I. THE RAISING OF THE BRIGADE 11 II. THE CAMPAIGN IN WESTERN EGYPT 23 III. THE BATTLE OF THE SOMME: DELVILLE WOOD 43 IV. THE BATTLE OF THE SOMME: THE BUTTE DE WARLENCOURT 83 V. THE BATTLE OF ARRAS 104 VI. THE THIRD BATTLE OF YPRES 128 VII. THE EVE OF THE GREAT GERMAN ATTACK 148 VIII. THE SOMME RETREAT: GAUCHE AND MARRIÈRES WOODS 165 IX. THE BATTLE OF THE LYS 193 X. THE SUMMER OF 1918 216 XI. THE ADVANCE TO VICTORY 228 XII. CONCLUSION 257 APPENDICES. I. THE HEAVY ARTILLERY 267 II. THE SOUTH AFRICAN SIGNAL COMPANY (R.E.) 279 III. THE MEDICAL SERVICES 317 IV. THE RAILWAYS COMPANIES AND MISCELLANEOUS TRADES COMPANY 333