13. The Somme Retreat ” 166 14. The Retreat of the South African Brigade ” 174 15. The Fight at Marrières Wood ” 180 16. The Action of the South African Brigade on Messines Ridge ” 198 17. The Scene of the Fighting round Mont Kemmel ” 206 18. The Fighting about Méteren ” 220 19. The Victorious Advance. Operations of the XIII. Corps up to 11th November 1918 ” 230 20. The South African Attack beyond Beaurevoir, 8th October 1918 ” 234 21. The Advance from Maretz to Reumont ” 238 22. The Fighting for the Crossing of the Selle ” 246 THE HISTORY OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN FORCES IN FRANCE. CHAPTER I. THE RAISING OF THE BRIGADE. The Purpose of the Book—South Africa in History—Her Problem at the Outset of War—General Botha’s Proposal to Furnish a Contingent for Europe—The Composition of the Brigade—The Officers—Brigadier-General Lukin—The Heavy Artillery Batteries—The Field Ambulance—The Medical Services—The Contingent arrives in England—The Situation at the close of 1915—The Brigade ordered to Egypt. This book is the tale of a great achievement in war. It is a record of the deeds of that expeditionary force which represented South Africa on the front in the West. There were South Africans in many British battalions, in cavalry regiments, in the Flying Corps, in every auxiliary service; but here we are concerned only with the contingent which, with its appurtenances, was the direct contribution of the Union Government to the main battle-ground. It is a tale to be proud of, for among the many brigades in that field the South African Infantry Brigade may be said, without boasting, to have had no superior and not many equals. In the fellowship of war great deeds go to a common stock, and the credit of one is the credit of all. But it is permitted to detach the doings of a single unit, not to make petty comparisons, but to hearten ourselves with the contemplation of exploits which offer an incontrovertible proof of manly virtue and civic vigour. In such a spirit let this story be told.