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
"The Division made a great name for itself at the battle of Cambrai.
It enhanced that reputation at Bucquoy, where it withstood the attacks
of some of the best of the German troops, up to that time flushed
with success. It has in this great battle set the seal on its already
established reputation as a fighting force of the first quality.
"During the period, it has been fighting with its comrades of the
French army, and side by side with the 51st (Highland) Division, the
62nd (West Riding) Division has utterly defeated the 123rd German
Division, which had to be withdrawn on the 22nd inst., and the 50th
German Division (an assault division of the first rank) shared a
similar fate a few days later.
"The fortitude, steadfastness, and valour of all ranks has been beyond
praise.
"Marfaux, Cuitron, Bouilly the clearing of the Bois du Petit Champ,
attest your gallantry, while Espilly, Nappes, the advance up the Ardre
Valley, and the capture of Bligny and the Montagne de Bligny are
evidence of your sustained valour.
"To every officer, warrant officer, non-commissioned officer and
private soldier I tender my grateful thanks, and express my unstinted
admiration of their victorious efforts. They have gloriously upheld the
highest traditions of the British Army.
"It is with intense pride that, once again after a great victory I
have the honour to sign myself as Commander of the 62nd (West Riding)
Division.
"WALTER BRAITHWAITE,
"Major-General."
The Corps had also the honour of receiving a complimentary order from
General Berthelot in the following terms:
"Ordre Général No. 63 le 30 Juillet, 1918.
"Au moment ou le XXII. C. A. Britannique est appelé à quitter la
Vme Armée, le Général Commandant l'Armée lui exprime toute la
reconnaissance et toute l'admiration qu'ont merité les hauts faits
qu'il vient d'accomplir.
"A peine débarqué, tenant à l'honneur de participer à la contre
offensive victorieuse qui venait d'arrêter la furieuse ruée de l'ennemi
sur la Marne, et commencait à le rejeter en desordre vers le Nords,
précipitant ses mouvements, réduisant à l'extreme la durée de ses
reconnaissances, le XXII. C. A. s'est jeté avec ardeur dans la melée.
"Poussant sans répit ses efforts, harcellant, talonnant l'ennemi, il a,
pendant 10 jours successifs d'âpres combats, fait sienne cette vallée
de l'Ardre largement arrosée de son sang.
"Grace au courage héroique, et à la tenacité proverbiale des fils de
la Grande Bretagne, les efforts continus et répétés de ce brave Corps
d'Armée n'ont pas étés vains;
"21 officiers, plus de 1300 soldats prisonniers, 140 mitrailleuses, 40
canons, enlevés à l'ennemi, dont 4 divisions ont été successivement
malmenées et refoulées,
"la haute vallée de l'Ardre réconquise avec les hauteurs qui la
dominent au Nord et au Sud.
"tel est le bilan de la participation Britannique à l'effort de la Vme
Armée.
"Ecossais de la Montagne, sous le commandement du Général
Carter-Campbell, Commandant la 51me Division!
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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