The doings of the Ferozepore Brigade only have so far been narrated, and
it is time to describe the actions of the Lahore Division farther south.
At the time I write of General Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien was in command
of the 2nd Corps, and was holding the Germans attacking from the general
direction of Lille towards Bethune and La Bassée.
It is no part of this story to describe the gallant fights made by this
Corps between the time of its arrival in the area and the date on which
the Lahore Division joined it. Suffice it to say that on the 24th
October 1914 the general line held by the British ran roughly from east
of Givenchy, by Neuve Chapelle bending towards the Aubers Ridge and
passing Mauquissart, which is south-east of Laventie.
The names of Givenchy, Festubert, Neuve Chapelle, and Fauquissart sum up
the story of our existence. That short line holds more Indian dead than
the whole of the rest of Europe combined. Who would ever have believed
in the last days of that cold October that we had in fact taken up our
permanent abode for a year to come?
On the 24th October the Germans made a determined attack all along our
line, but were repulsed, and it is at this stage that the Lahore
Division was called on to replace some of the weary and war-worn units
in the firing-line. Most accounts which describe the part taken by us in
this particular fighting speak of the Lahore Division as if it had been
a complete unit, but as a matter of fact at that time it consisted of
less than one complete Brigade, with the Divisional Artillery and a
regiment of Cavalry. As if determined to keep up the splitting process
to the full, in this case also the 1st Manchesters of the Jalandar
Brigade had been detached to help the French Cavalry, and then the 5th
Division, and was away for over a week (47th Sikhs also detached and two
companies Sappers and Miners), thus leaving a few Indian battalions to
start the game by themselves. The Sirhind Brigade was still detained in
Egypt and did not join till December, and the Ferozepore Brigade as
already described had been split up and was fighting with the British
Cavalry near Ypres.
On the 24th October the Sikhs, 59th Rifles, and 34th Pioneers moved up
to the support of General Conneau’s French Cavalry, and later relieved
that body in the trenches. The wedge thus formed by these Indian
battalions was between the 8th British Infantry Brigade on their right
and the 19th Infantry Brigade on their left. This relief was the first
conducted by any considerable body of the Corps, and to those who did
not know the nature of the country or the difficulties of such movements
under fire by night, perhaps the description of it given me by an Indian
officer will be the simplest explanation. “I for the first time realised
the difficulties and dangers run by Burmese dacoits approaching one of
our own strongly held stockades fully manned, armed, and ready for them.
I used to think Dacoits were a cowardly set of rascals; I changed my
mind that night.”
The enemy made frequent attacks during the night, one of which, on a
British unit to the right of the 15th Sikhs, succeeded in pushing
through, but another British battalion immediately regained the lost
trench.
The attacks continued the next day, causing us severe casualties and
thoroughly trying the temper of the men. The length of trenches held was
far greater than the numbers available warranted, but necessity knows no
law, and to those who know the British front only as it was in after
days it appears incredible that the Germans did not now, and for eight
long weeks to follow, break through our attenuated line on the Indian
front. It was nothing but the dogged pluck of the men, with occasional
bits of good luck thrown in, that prevented it. For it must always be
borne in mind that the rifle and bayonet alone were in those days the
arms of the infantry soldier, and as for guns, well! they did all that
such guns as we then possessed could do, but the numbers of them were
few and the ammunition altogether inadequate.
The Brigade Reserve on this date consisted of the ration parties alone
(all others were up in the firing-line), until a company of the 47th
Sikhs arrived to rejoice the heart of the Brigadier.
Talking of rations, it was extraordinary considering all things with
what regularity the men were fed; during this and other particular times
of course they had often enough to do without any of their accustomed
food, as the Indian soldier does not indulge in tinned supplies; but by
hook or crook the company cooks would manage to send up excellent
viands, frequently preparing them under conditions anything but
conducive to good cookery; and I do not think G.H.Q. ever had a
complaint or any cause for doubt as to the ability of the Indians to
feed themselves under all circumstances, at least none ever went through
me as Corps Commander.
A _langri_ (cook) of a Sikh regiment whom I was talking to one day not
far behind the firing-line said to me, “We like cooking close up to the
trenches, or otherwise the Government may refuse to give us a clasp to
our medals,” and being a bit of a wag, he added, “and then in India they
will call us the Marseilles _walas_ (fellows).” At that time many men
landed at Marseilles and never got beyond.
The three battalions were put to a high test during those first days and
went through the baptism of fire most creditably. On the early morning
of the 27th October the Huns made a determined attack on the 59th
Rifles, which was repulsed after a severe struggle. This battalion had
served under me on the Frontiers and was composed of splendid material,
and any commander could have put implicit trust in it. Colonel C.
Fenner, the commandant, was a most conscientious, reliable soldier; he
was killed near the trenches on 23rd November 1914.
The 59th Rifles began its career as the Scinde Camel Corps in 1843, and
received its present title in 1908. It consisted before the war of three
companies of Pathans, one of Punjabi-Musalmans, two of Sikhs, and two of
Dogras. The regimental motto is “Ready, aye ready.”
The 15th Sikhs had always been considered a crack corps in the Indian
Army, and at the beginning of the war had as fine a lot of men as the
Punjab could furnish. As time went on, like all other corps they had to
take what they could get, but later in Egypt the General in command of
the Brigade to which they were attached sent them a very satisfactory
order, showing that a good battalion utilises its material to the best
purpose. John Hill, then C.O., was a sturdy officer, whom I could always
trust to place duty above personal considerations. Later he commanded a
British Brigade. The 15th Sikhs were originally raised at “Ludhiana” in
1846, and had served in six campaigns from China to Tirah. It was a
Class Corps of eight companies of Sikhs.
The 34th Pioneers consisted of Mazbi and Ramdasia Sikhs, and was
commanded by Lieut.-Colonel E. H. Cullen. This battalion had served with
me across the Indian Frontiers, and did very good work in France on all
occasions when it was employed; and as the work of a Pioneer Corps is
never-ending, this means it well maintained its reputation. Like
everything else in the early days of the war, it started with work which
should if possible have been performed by another corps, but Pioneers
were also trained for every kind of work in the field, in case of
necessity. The battalion was raised in 1887, and had served in Chitral
and China.
Sir John French sent his congratulations to the Jalandar Brigade for the
manner in which they had done their share in the line.
For two more days the Indian battalions held on to their positions. I
say advisedly “held on,” for their numbers were very limited, and only
the reinforcement by the 15th Indian Lancers enabled them to repulse two
strong German attacks. On the 1st November the Manchesters and 47th
Sikhs rejoined their own Brigade. The former had suffered some 100
casualties during its detachment, and the 47th had lost very heavily in
its gallant fight at Neuve Chapelle (not to be confounded with the
battle, which did not take place till March 1915), as I shall relate.
Between the 24th October and 1st November 1914 the Indian battalions
engaged on this part of the line had suffered 705 casualties or
practically the strength of a whole battalion, which numbered 750 at war
strength.
The 15th Sikhs lost three British and three Indian officers wounded,
including Lieut.-Colonel J. L. Gordon, then temporarily in command.
The 34th Pioneers lost their interpreter, Captain G. H.
Vaughan-Sawyer—killed, whilst two British and three Indian officers
were wounded.
In the 59th Rifles Captain W. F. Scott was killed, and a fine specimen
of an Indian leader, Captain K. D. Murray, was severely wounded, and in
addition two Indian officers were wounded.
The 47th Sikhs (excluding their losses near Neuve Chapelle) had two more
British officers and 118 men wounded, making a total for the first few
days’ experience of trench warfare of 294 casualties out of a strength
of 750.
The names of many Indian officers were brought to notice, of which I
particularly remember that of Subadar Natha Singh, 34th Pioneers, who
took command of his portion of the defence after his British officers
had been wounded.
It was during these events, to be accurate on the 27th October, that I
reached my first Headquarters at Merville; it was also a year later to
be my last, but that was still a long time ahead and unfortunately we
cannot read the future. I took a sheet of paper to make a rough estimate
of the whereabouts of my Army Corps, and I will quote what I find noted
on it. It will give any one reading this an idea of what I felt, after
my hopes that we might get a few days, or even hours, if possible to get
into shape before actually entering the trenches.
General Watkis had had a rough experience of what breaking up a Division
means, and he had with great loyalty accepted what was naturally a blow
to a Divisional commander. It was a condition of things not only never
contemplated, but opposed to all the principles on which the Brigades of
the Army of India were constituted. If, then, here and there, things did
not meet with the approval of the Higher Command, the cause did not lie
at our doors. Orders must be obeyed.
As each battalion rejoined the Corps it brought its own story of the
fighting; a confused medley of combats fought heaven knows where, mixed
up with British troops, none of whom the Indians had ever set eyes on
before.
Sir John French’s despatch of 20th November 1914 says, “The Lahore
Division had concentrated on the 19th and 20th October,” and on the 29th
I find in my Diary:
_Extract from Diary_:
“Where is my Lahore Division?”
_Sirhind Brigade._ Detained in Egypt.
_Ferozepore Brigade._ Somewhere in the north, split up into three or
four lots.
_Jalandar Brigade._ Manchesters gone south to 5th Division (this
disposes of the only British unit).
_47th Sikhs._ Half fighting with some British Division; half somewhere
else!
_59th and 15th Sikhs._ In trenches. 34th Pioneers (Divisional troops)
also in trenches.
_15th Lancers._ In trenches. Two Companies of Sappers and Miners
fighting as Infantry with British Division.
_Divisional Headquarters._ Somewhere. ?
“Thank heaven the Meerut Division will get a better chance.” Ends.
However, what did anything matter so long as we were actually to be
allowed to collect and go into our very own trenches?
Before beginning the story of the combined Corps it is necessary to tell
the story of the first fight in the village of Neuve Chapelle, a village
later to become famous in Indian history as the first in Europe in
which, on a big scale, her soldiers attacked, dispersed, and drove from
their positions the Germans in their own chosen and defended trenches.
Neuve Chapelle had already been the scene of severe fighting, portions
of it being taken and retaken by the 7th and 9th British Brigades, until
on the 27th October the enemy bringing up considerable reinforcements
gained possession of the whole village. Pushing his advantage
vigorously, our gallant fellows were forced to retire, until a
considerable salient was created in our defensive line, and one which it
was imperative to straighten out if possible. The Wiltshires,
Lancashires, and West Kents had been fighting all they knew, and there
was a possibility of a wedge being driven between our Fifth and Third
Divisions.
I have in my possession a very full description of the part played by a
portion of the Indian troops, who were now called on to support the
situation, and later to take part in the attack on the village. I can,
however, make little use of this, as the orders received by different
units were not only very vague, but one at least did not receive them
until after the attack on the 28th had already begun. It was therefore
impossible in this case to make any arrangements, and all that could be
done was to join in as best they could.
What is clear is that half of the 47th Sikhs were on the 27th October
ordered to counter-attack, with the 9th Bhopal Infantry in support, some
trenches from which part of a British battalion had been forced to
retire. The 9th Bhopals in the intricate country temporarily lost touch
with the Sikhs and moved, as I shall tell further on. The 47th soon met
the O.C. Lincolns, and the battalion was directed to advance and assist
the companies of the Lincolns who were held up; one company under Major
H. E. Browne on the left, and another half company under Captain R. J.
M‘Cleverty on the right advanced, whilst half a company under Major S.
R. Davidson was kept in hand.
Facing a heavy fire of machine-guns and howitzers, the 47th Sikhs
receiving their baptism of fire, for the first time since raised in
1901, pushed forward, covering themselves with honour, and not halting a
moment until they were into, and in the case of one platoon beyond, the
farthest trenches occupied by the Lincolns. From this no farther advance
was possible with the limited numbers at disposal.
During this advance Major Browne and two Indian officers were wounded,
and seven men were killed and twenty-eight wounded. I have given details
more fully than is perhaps necessary, but this as I said was the first
experience the battalion had under fire, and it served to brace them up
and spur them to the deeds which they so nobly wrought throughout their
stay in France.
At 1 A.M. on the morning of the 28th October the 47th were ordered to
move and take over the trenches of the Wiltshires, but on arrival learnt
that they had already been relieved by the 20th and 21st Companies of
Indian Sappers and Miners, and the 47th took up their position in a
ditch 200 yards in rear, as daylight was appearing.
To those who know the Indian Army it will at once be evident that to
employ such highly trained technical troops as Sappers as ordinary
Infantry was to extract the very marrow from a Division engaged in this
sort of siege warfare. As well employ a battle-ship to scout for
destroyers; but in those early days of the war the Lahore Division was
turned topsy-turvy at every stage of its progress, and that it emerged
fit to fight at all is its highest testimonial.
Early on the 28th October the half battalion of the 47th Sikhs was
holding a line between the 20th and 21st Companies Sappers and Miners,
with a frontage of some 800 yards, when orders were issued for the
battalion to make a frontal attack in conjunction with their comrades of
the Sappers. The plan of attack was laid down, and was to converge on a
point in Neuve Chapelle which was indicated in the orders, and to be
carried out without a stop.
Whilst these are waiting to carry out this duty, let us return to the
9th Bhopal Infantry, whom I left under orders to counter-attack with the
47th Sikhs on the 27th October. This battalion had arrived at Vieille
Chapelle from near Ypres on that day, travelling by motor buses, then a
novel means of locomotion for Indian troops. It brought no machine-guns
(mark this) and very soon after received orders to move to Rouge Croix,
and whilst _en route_ further orders directed it to detach half a
battalion to support the 47th Sikhs in their counter-attack, already
described. This constant splitting up of battalions was one of the most
senseless proceedings.
Touch was lost in the difficult country, but eventually this half
battalion got into communication with the Royal Scots on their left, and
after further varying fortunes reached the vicinity of another British
unit, the West Kents.
The 9th then came into contact with the Germans to the south of Neuve
Chapelle, killing several of them, and assisting in checking an enemy
advance against the flank of a neighbouring unit.
Lieut.-Colonel H. L. Anderson, second in command, was mortally wounded,
and Lieutenant J. C. Mullaly, son of a gallant General and old comrade
of mine, was taken prisoner while endeavouring to stem an enemy rush,
amid fighting which, owing to many causes, was becoming a confused
medley, Germans firing from every direction. The situation now was that
a big gap existed between the 9th and the 47th Sikhs, which was filled
by No. 20 Company Sappers and Miners.
Before mid-day on the 28th we thus see that the two Indian half
battalions and the two companies of Sappers and Miners were spread over
a considerable frontage, and about to attack the village of Neuve
Chapelle. It was at this stage purely an Indian fight, no British troops
being engaged on this portion of the attack; why, I cannot say.
Major G. A. Jamieson of the 9th Bhopals has left it on record that the
orders for his battalion only reached him at 11.15 A.M., _i.e._ after
the attack had already commenced. Under such conditions all the
battalion could do was to detach as many men as possible to help the
Sappers and Miners who were on the move and advancing. Jamieson later on
died of wounds received in Mesopotamia; I had known him for many years.
Son of a soldier and descended from a long line of fighting men, he was
one of the keenest of officers, always trying to do something to improve
the efficiency of his men.
The moment had now come, and the Indians are advancing with the proud
satisfaction that this is their own fight and that the eyes of their
British comrades are on them.
The Artillery bombardment which preceded the attack had hardly ceased,
when the open country was already fast being crossed by our men; of
shelter there was little, but this only made the pace the faster, and
600 yards had soon been covered although with considerable losses.
The men, well led by their officers, were now thoroughly blooded, and
raising the war-cry of “Shri wa guru ji ka khalsa,” and the final yell
of “Fateh,” the Sikhs, and with them, every whit as keen, the two
companies of Sappers, lowered their bayonets to the charge and were
amongst the foe inside the village of Neuve Chapelle.
The Germans from houses all round kept up a heavy fire, but the Indian
soldiers were not to be denied, and using the bayonet they cleared the
streets, entering houses and killing freely, always fighting hand to
hand. It was a glorious day for the Indian Army, and the story, although
briefly told in despatches, is one of which the Sikhs as a race, and the
Sappers and Miners as a Corps, may well be proud.
An officer of a British Corps, whose fighting zeal had led him into the
fray, in describing it said: “I climbed up into a house and looked down
the street, and the way those fellows fought was a sight to remember”;
and General Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien himself told me a few days later
that from every side he heard nothing but the highest praise of the
Indians.
Meantime the fight was raging in the centre of the village; Captain
M‘Cleverty, the bravest of the brave, leading his Sikhs, fell dead under
a shot from a concealed German. This man was at once accounted for by a
Punjabi Mahomedan of the Sappers. Through a hail of machine-gun fire
both Corps continued the struggle, and had soon cleared the main street.
The Germans were meantime bringing heavy counter-attacks to bear on our
scattered troops, but Davidson of the 47th was not the man to succumb to
any foe, and was trying to form up for a final charge, when the Huns
opened rapid fire from several machine-guns, literally sweeping the
streets, and no reinforcements were at hand and there were no signs of
them coming. Thus overwhelmed, the brave Sikhs were obliged to fall
back. Once again they crossed the 600 yards of open ground, in retreat
’tis true, but covered with glory. They had left a mark behind them
which must have impressed even their enemies, and as a German prisoner
said months afterwards, they had taught his people a lesson which they
remembered throughout the time they faced the Indian Corps. Davidson
received the well-merited distinction of Brevet Lieut.-Colonel.
Had reinforcements been sent up the battle of Neuve Chapelle in March
1915 might never have been necessary; but in war it is so often an “If.”
What is sure, and that is what concerns me here, is that the Indians
fought in a manner which at once established their reputation as
first-class fighting men.
The two companies of the 47th Sikhs went into action 289 of all ranks,
and the muster roll after the fight was 144, or a loss of exactly 50 per
cent of their numbers. Amongst these were two Indian officers, of whom
one was killed.
The 47th Sikhs was raised at Sialkote in 1901 as the 47th (Sikh)
Regiment of Bengal Infantry, and received its present designation in
1903. It was composed of eight companies of Sikhs.
The 21st Company Sappers and Miners were all this time sharing to the
full the brunt of the fighting. Captain J. S. Richardson was killed
while leading a charge on the enemy’s side of the village through which
the men had swept; and Almond and Rohde, his two Subalterns, shared his
fate. Lieutenant Fitzmaurice was severely wounded, and nearly 60 other
ranks out of 140 completed the casualties: A list which included every
British officer borne on its rolls, and not one remained to direct the
operations of a unit in which all skilled officers who knew their men
were needed. The I.D.S.M. was conferred on Subadars Ismail Khan and
Ganga Charn Dixit.
Their comrades of the 20th Company were likewise fighting hard; when it
was seen that reinforcements were not coming Lieutenant Nosworthy,
rather than retire, hurriedly erected a barricade in a side street, and
from this and two neighbouring houses kept the enemy at bay, until at
last, seeing no further use in delay, he and his gallant band, now under
twenty men, worked their way back over the open.
What a splendid record did this Sapper Company compile in a few brief
hours of that October day. Lieutenant E. Hayes-Sadler was killed leading
an attack on some German machine-guns which were playing havoc from a
spot outside the village, he and his men being literally mown down.
Lieutenant Rait-Kerr was severely wounded while voluntarily crossing the
open to bring up reinforcements, but endeavoured nevertheless to try and
rejoin his commanding officer. Captain Paris, who had boldly led the
company from the start, was also severely wounded.
Like its sister company the 21st Sappers and Miners, the 20th also came
out of action with the loss of all its British officers. Trained to the
technical branches of their profession, they could still fight as
Infantry with the best, even when they knew that “Some one had
blundered.”
Sapper Dalip Singh single-handed kept off numerous Germans, helped
Lieutenant Rait-Kerr into safety, and gained the Indian Order of Merit
for his bravery.
The Military Cross was the reward of Subadar Malla Singh, and the Order
of British India that of Subadar Ganpat Mahadeo, both of whom earned
their decorations by conspicuous coolness and skill.
The Indian Corps of Sappers and Miners is too well known to need
description here; as Sir John French said in his despatch of November
1914, they “have long enjoyed a high reputation for skill and resource,”
and “they have fully justified their reputation.” I would only add, that
ever after in the war they added greatly to it. I look forward with keen
pleasure to visiting them again.
The 9th Bhopal Infantry, whom we left just when they had received their
orders to join in the attack, found themselves in a dilemma, but Major
Jamieson hastily told off as many men as were at his disposal to work
along with the Sappers and Miners who were already advancing. The result
was that while some parties got into Neuve Chapelle, and one under
Jamieson passed through the village, they were compelled to retire and
suffered considerable losses. Lieut.-Colonel Anderson, second in
command, died of wounds, and one Indian officer was killed; Captain L.
J. Jones and Lieutenant H. Wade were wounded and missing; Lieutenant
Mullaly, as already stated, was unfortunately captured, and Captain G.
Irvine wounded; the total casualties including missing were just under
300.
The 9th Bhopal Infantry was raised in 1859, and reconstituted and
received its present title in 1903. It served in Afghanistan 1878–79,
and consisted of two companies of Sikhs, two of Rajputs, two of
Brahmins, and two of Musalmans. It was quartered in Fyzabad when war
broke out, and I had inspected it early that year. It was under orders
for Secunderabad in the next reliefs, but so keen were all ranks to go
to the north of India, and so eagerly did they do their field work, that
I recommended to the Commander-in-Chief they should be given a chance on
the Frontiers. The battalion was not on the mobilisation list, but the
Chief selected it to fill a gap, and hence it was sent to France. Later
it went to Mesopotamia and took part in the fighting there.
Sir John French, as he always did, acknowledged the good work done by
all ranks, both before and on this day, in a telegram in which he said:
“Please congratulate your Indian troops on their gallant conduct, and
express my gratitude to them.”