War Services of the 62nd West Riding Divisional ArtilleryAnderson, Austin Thomas
History
War Services of the 62nd West Riding Divisional Artillery
Anderson, Austin Thomas
Great Britain. Army. Division, 62nd; World War, 1914-1918 -- Regimental histories -- Great Britain
Although the Boche had failed so disastrously on this occasion, his
resources in men and guns seemed to be unlimited, and he still kept up
his daily attacks with unremitting vigour. Our troops were exhausted
almost beyond the limits of human endurance, and the first three
weeks of the great offensive seemed to us like as many months--a
period of constant danger and anxiety, unceasing hardships, and utter
fatigue. The news from other fronts was of so sinister a nature
that it might well have driven even the bravest of men to despair.
Amongst our splendid troops, however, there was never any thought
of further retreat, and the following stirring order, issued by the
Commander-in-Chief on the 11th April, only served to confirm the
resolution already taken by every officer and man in the British army
to hold back the hated enemy as long as there was a gun or rifle left
to fire at him:
"To all ranks of the British army in France and Flanders.
"Three weeks ago to-day the enemy began his terrific attacks against us
on a fifty-mile front. His objects are to separate us from the French,
to take the Channel ports, and destroy the British army.
"In spite of throwing already 106 Divisions into the battle, and
enduring the most reckless sacrifice of human life, he has as yet made
little progress towards his goal.
"We owe this to the determined fighting and self-sacrifice of our
troops. Words fail me to express the admiration which I feel for the
splendid resistance offered by all ranks of our army under the most
trying circumstances.
"Many amongst us now are tired. To those I would say that victory will
belong to the side which holds out the longest. The French army is
moving rapidly and in great force to our support.
"There is no other course open to us but to fight it out. Every
position must be held to the last man; there must be no retirement.
With our backs to the wall, and believing in the justice of our cause,
each one of us must fight on to the end. The safety of our homes and
the freedom of mankind alike depend upon the conduct of each one of us
at this critical moment.
"D. HAIG,
"Commander-in-Chief British Armies in France."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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