On the 22nd April 1915 I visited the town of Ypres, as a guest of
General Alderson, commanding the Canadian Division. From his
Headquarters I went on to Potijze, and from a tower close by scanned the
country towards the German lines. From that same tower six days later
the G.O.C. Lahore Division was (after a forced march northwards to help
our imperilled line) directing the operations of his Division against
the first German gas attack. I had long hoped that the Indian Corps
might be moved north from the slimy dead level flats opposite Neuve
Chapelle, and as this day I surveyed the rolling country north of
Wieltje, and on my return journey about St. Eloi, I determined to make a
request to Sir John French to give us a much-needed change. Had I
succeeded I feel quite sure all ranks would have been delighted at the
prospect, more especially the Gurkhas and Pathans. For here were real
hills, valleys, and woods, and not only pestiferous bogs and almost
treeless fields; but fate ordained otherwise. We were to remain on in
our old hateful haunts to the end. At one time the Commander-in-Chief
actually asked me if I would like a change up towards Nieuport, but it
came to nothing for some reason.
And yet in a degree my wish was to be gratified, for even as I gazed on
the German lines the Boche was preparing for an immediate attack, the
first with his loathsome gas; and whilst I was motoring round this
attack had begun, over the same ground I had looked across. Next day I
received orders to hold the Lahore Division in readiness to move, and on
the following morning General Keary and his troops were _en route_ to
take part in the second bloody battle of Ypres.
As I look over my diary the names of numerous places, which had become
as familiar to me as London streets, recur again and again, and when in
1918 the Huns made their great attack on the Lys and as far as the
Nieppe forest, there was little need to refer to the map; I felt as if I
was back in my old haunts, nor could any map have helped me to take in
the situation, so clear did it all appear. But I was not there. Alack! I
was home on a month’s leave in 1919 and spent two days in going over all
the old haunts—two happy, sad days.
Next day I applied to the First Army to be allowed to run north during
the battle and see my absent Division, but permission was refused. My
Corps was now entirely split up and I could easily have been spared for
a few hours, but of course I could not go, and the remarks in my diary
are not fit for publication.
After a very fatiguing march of thirty-one miles, the Lahore Division
arrived at Ouderdom on the 25th April. It is as usual not my intention
to describe the events which led up to this battle. The Germans trusted
to the use of gas, a new feature in war, to break through our line and
to capture Ypres. So unexpected was any such method of attack that the
French Colonial Division, on which the brunt fell, was perforce obliged
to abandon its front, and in so doing exposed the left flank of the
Canadian Division on its right. The Canadians drew back their left,
retiring on St. Julien with extraordinary steadiness and gallantry. The
Huns meantime rushed over the vacated ground, killing and slaughtering
the helpless victims of their devilish devices. After heavy fighting and
attempts at counter-attack, by the evening of 24th April our advanced
lines had retired to between St. Julien and Fortuin. Notwithstanding
every effort on our part, the effect of the gas had done its work, but
there was one thing the Germans had not as usual calculated on, as far
as the Canadian Division was concerned, and that was that their foe
consisted of men of the Anglo-Saxon race, and Canadian soldiers cannot
be defeated by any enemy. The Huns had had their turn, the day was not
far distant when they would be hoist with their own petard.
By the 25th April the attack had been checked in some degree in the
vicinity of St. Julien, and the following day brings us to the date on
which the Lahore Division joined in to help stem the tide. Shortly the
orders of the Second Army (under which the Division now found itself)
were, that it was to be used in co-operation with the French, and on
their right, in an attack in a north or north-east direction from about
St. Jean. The actual time was to depend on that fixed by the French to
deliver their attack.
The following extract from a letter from the Chief of Staff, Second
Army, to Major-General Keary will explain the situation:
25th April. The Army Commander is determined not to commit your
Division to the area east of Ypres until he is sure that the French
plans have matured.... You will only be able to make an attack on a
front of two Brigades with a Brigade in support.... Sir Horace
(Smith-Dorrien) would not wish the Division to press forward unless
the French on your left had already done so.
These directions were clear and left no room for doubt and uncertainty.
The Ypres-Langemarck road was to be the dividing line between the French
right and the Lahore Division’s left; whilst the Lahore right would be
in touch with the Fifth Corps to the east.
On the 26th April the Division marched as ordered: two batteries of
Artillery and the Ferozepore and Sirhind Brigades by the road north of
Ypres, and the Jalandar Brigade by the railway south of Ypres. A certain
number of casualties occurred from shell-fire during the march,
especially in the 40th Pathans, who lost 25 men from a single shell. It
is on record that in this their first experience of shell-fire the
Battalion showed no signs of uneasiness, but closed ranks and moved on
steadily. The head of the Jalandar Brigade reached a position of
readiness just south of Wieltje at 10.30 A.M. The Ferozepore Brigade,
finding better cover at La Brique than south-east of St. Jean, went into
a position of assembly there, arriving about 9.45 A.M. The Sirhind
Brigade arrived north-west of Potijze about 11 A.M.
It had been arranged that the C.R.A., Fifth Corps, would support the
advance with all the batteries west of the canal; and as the enemy’s
defensive line could only be conjectured, two Canadian 18-pounder and
one howitzer battery, in addition to one howitzer and one 18-pounder
battery of the Lahore Division, were assigned to the two attacking
Brigades: a very useful support. The advance of the Lahore Division,
which was echeloned a little in rear, was ordered for 2 P.M., in order
to come level with the French, who were to move five minutes later.
On the march to La Brique of the Ferozepore Brigade (General Egerton),
Captain Acworth, 55th Rifles (the same officer who had assisted the
1/39th Garhwalis in their night attack on 23rd November 1914), was
wounded, as also was Lieut.-Colonel Murray, Connaught Rangers—a man who
was justly proud of his regiment. In the 4th King’s Liverpools 2nd
Lieutenant Lydden was mortally wounded.
In order to reach a point from which the assault could be delivered the
Brigades had to cross some 1500 yards of open shell-swept ground. They
were therefore deployed on an east and west line through Wieltje, the
right resting on a farm and the left on the Ypres-Langemarck road. The
Division was to cover 1000 yards of front.
From the position of deployment the Brigades were to advance under cover
of a bombardment by all the guns available. The order of advance was as
under:
Right attack.—Jalandar Brigade. Frontage, 500 yards. 1st Manchesters,
40th Pathans, with 47th Sikhs on the left. Second line—59th Rifles,
4th Suffolks, following right and left battalions.
Left attack.—Ferozepore Brigade. 129th Baluchis, 57th Rifles with
Connaught Rangers on the left and nearest the French. Behind the
Connaughts the 4th Londons were in support, and the 9th Bhopals were
in reserve.
The attack started punctually and moved forward unchecked, but losing
heavily from shell-fire. During the advance the Jalandar Brigade
inclined to its left, and pressed the left of the Ferozepore Brigade
across the Langemarck road. After crossing a crest north of the road the
troops came under a very heavy rifle and machine-gun fire, and there was
a tendency for units to bunch behind farm buildings or other cover. But
the line held on, and the Manchesters on the right, together with
portions of three battalions of the Ferozepore front line (Connaught
Rangers, 129th Baluchis, 57th Rifles), all reached the close proximity
of the German trenches about 2.15 P.M.; the 40th Pathans and the 47th
Sikhs on the left of the Manchesters getting within fifty yards of the
trenches also.
In the Manchesters Lieutenant G. B. Roberts was mortally wounded. In
this battalion the casualties were heavy, as indeed was inevitable from
the nature of the country and the fiery zeal with which they always
advanced. Before midnight they included Lieut.-Colonel Hitchins, the
gallant C.O., killed, of whom it may fairly be said, he lived for his
regiment.
The Victoria Cross was awarded to Corporal Issy Smith for his
conspicuous bravery in advancing towards the enemy in the face of heavy
rifle and machine-gun fire to help a severely wounded comrade. He
managed to carry and drag him in, a distance of 250 yards, under a hail
of bullets. Not content with this he later assisted in bringing in
several other wounded men. An Indian officer in telling the story said:
“Issy Smith has a V.C. face.” Their remarks are sometimes very apposite.
Several Distinguished Conduct Medals were also won by N.C.O.’s and men.
The Manchesters at Ypres had just under 300 casualties. The casualties
of the 59th Rifles, in support of the Manchesters, totalled 4 British
officers and 60 others.
The 40th Pathans advanced rapidly. Lieut.-Colonel Rennick, the C.O., was
mortally wounded and died the same evening. I had known him for many
years; his military life was centred in his officers and men. How fast
the old Indian “Contemptibles” were disappearing!
The story of the 40th Pathans is the story of the oft-repeated bravery
of the various units composing the Army Corps. I would that I could find
space to tell them all, it would be a joy to do so, but each battalion,
battery, and other formation would need a pamphlet to itself. Through
the leaden tornado officers and men ploughed their way, ever nearing the
goal; whilst on the right, on the left, and centre were being performed
deeds which will oft be told in far-off Hindustan. When the historian of
future Russia describes what the Russian Medal of St. George was awarded
for in the days of the now defunct Czar, he will have cause to feel that
it was never better bestowed than on a heroic sepoy, by name Muktiara,
who, scorning all danger, brought up his machine-gun over 250 yards,
after all his comrades had been mown down.
Captain Christopher was killed, as also was Major Perkins, when almost
in the German trenches. Captain Dalmahoy with six wounds fought to the
very last, and brave Lieutenant Adams, in the attempt to save him, was
himself badly wounded. Captain Waters was dangerously wounded. Twenty
British and Indian officers in all were killed and wounded. Subadar
Jahandad Khan (killed) and Jemadar Lehna Singh were awarded the I.O.M.
The Pathans recorded a casualty list of 320 of all ranks.
The 47th Sikhs on the left of the 40th once again dyed red the banner of
the Khalsa. Of 420 bayonets all told who started the fight but 92
unwounded remained when the carnage of second Ypres was over. Every
British officer save one, Lieutenant A. E. Drysdale, was killed or
wounded during the early stages of the battle. Major Talbot, Captains
Scott and Cook, and Lieutenant Allardice were killed. Drysdale received
the Military Cross.
The 4th Suffolks, who advanced in rear of the 47th Sikhs, suffered a
loss during the battle of 3 killed, whilst 6 officers and 20 other ranks
were wounded and missing.
And whilst the right Brigade was doing its part the Ferozepore Brigade
on the left was grimly endeavouring to reach the same goal. The 129th
Baluchis pushed up to within 300 yards of the Hun trenches, with a
casualty list of 230 of all ranks. Major Hannyngton, the C.O., was
awarded the D.S.O.; Sepoy Raji Khan gained the I.O.M., and Sepoy Ghulam
Hussein of the 124th Baluchis (attached) won the I.D.S.M. for bringing
Major Holbrooke, who was lying wounded, into safety through a heavy fire
and gas fumes.
The 57th Rifles, under the cheery Major Willans, the centre battalion of
the Brigade, with the dogged determination of that distinguished Corps,
reached to within ninety yards of the German defence. Willans was
wounded during the advance, together with two officers, whilst Major
Duhan, Captain Mackie, Subadar Badawa Singh, and Jemadar Kirpa Singh
were killed near the enemy trenches.
Here too fell Captain P. d’A. Banks of the Guides (attached 57th), an
officer of particular and varied attainments, and one who was marked out
for distinction. His orderly, Bhan Singh, to whom I was talking four
days previously, notwithstanding a severe wound he had received, carried
Banks through a storm of bullets until he fell from overstrain, but some
mark of his officer he must retain, and being unable to do more, he took
off his accoutrements and brought them back. Just like the Guides!
A glorious tale indeed to tell, their children sing to-day.
For each recruit the Guides e’er need, full ten are on the way,
To join the ranks, to don the drab, to bear the arms of pride,
To march behind the Surnai’s wail, or listen to the battle tale,
To stand erect at tap of drum, and breathe the air the bagpipes hum,
And say, “I am a Guide.”
Bhan Singh received the I.D.S.M. and later the Russian medal of St.
George. Willans received a D.S.O., and Lieutenant Deedes (gassed) the
M.C. Naik Atma Singh gained the I.O.M.
Lieutenant Mein of the 55th Rifles (attached) received a Military Cross
for his gallant work. This officer throughout the year of my command
rendered most valuable service. The 55th Coke’s Rifles of the old
Frontier Force added a still greater laurel to their records on this
day. A great friend of mine, Jemadar Mir Dast, who had won the I.O.M.
with me in the Mohmand expedition of 1908, and was now serving with the
57th Rifles, finding that his British officers were all killed or
wounded, refused to leave his trench when the gas forced a retirement,
and there he remained, rallying every one round him and encouraging them
to hold on. After dark, distinct orders reached him to retire, but he
only did so slowly, collecting any stray men he could find. In assisting
to bring in a number of disabled officers he was himself wounded, but
lived to wear the Victoria Cross. The I.O.M. was conferred on Havildar
Mangal Singh of the 57th Rifles.
The 57th at Ypres suffered a total of 270 casualties, including 3
British and 3 Indian officers killed.
The Connaught Rangers, who were on the extreme left, and hence next to
the French Division (as they had been on the extreme right at Givenchy
in December 1914), came under a fierce fire as they topped the ridge,
but pushed on to within 120 yards of the German lines. Corporal Flynn
gained the Médaille Militaire. Sergeant Coldwell, who had already won
the D.C.M., was awarded the Russian Cross of St. George, whilst several
N.C.O.’s and men were gazetted for the Medal of St. George. Fifteen out
of twenty officers present and 350 out of 900 other ranks were returned
on the casualty roll; three officers were killed.
I have a vivid recollection of my good friends the Connaught Rangers on
many occasions during my year of command. Not the least pleasant was one
at Orleans on the way up to the Flanders front when I had occasion to
speak to the battalion somewhat roughly regarding a certain matter.
Having exhausted my wrath, I was leaving the parade when I heard, “Three
cheers for the ‘Giniral,’” and then followed three such lusty cheers as
I shall never forget. The French liaison officer who had been waiting on
his horse a short distance away said to my A.D.C., “I suppose the
General has been telling them something they like.” Irish soldiers are
the salt of the earth, and they never resent anything so long as it is
fair and square.
The 4th Londons, who had followed the Rangers, lost two men killed and
an officer and ten men wounded.
About this time the Huns turned on asphyxiating gas in great quantities.
It was of a yellowish colour, and was distinctly seen in large jets
coming over the German parapet. The gas struck the right of the French
and the left of the Ferozepore Brigade attack, which gave way. The
greater part of our line was affected by this retirement, but the
Manchesters with about 100 Connaught Rangers and parties of other
Infantry regiments, held on to their trenches. At 2.25 P.M. the Germans
counter-attacked these detachments, which were forced back some eighty
yards, where they succeeded in again entrenching themselves. The first
news received at Divisional Headquarters was a telephone message from
the Jalandar Brigade that the attack had failed, and that troops were
falling back everywhere, together with the French. Shortly afterwards
the Ferozepore Brigade reported that the attack was held up, that the
centre of the Brigade was well up, but the French were retiring. At 2.35
P.M., in consequence of these reports, the Sirhind Brigade was ordered
to move to La Brique to be ready for any emergency in that direction.
When the gas first caught our bewildered troops, totally unprepared for
such devices, and forced them to retire rapidly, such was the confusion
amongst units, British, Indian, and French, that an Indian havildar
shouted out, “_Khabardar, Jehannam pahunche_” (“Look out, we’ve arrived
in Hell”).
But even so the gates of Hell can be held by brave men, and of such were
Major Deacon of the Connaughts and Lieutenant Henderson of the
Manchesters, with many of their own men and small parties of Indians,
who held out for many hours, unconquerable! Major Deacon as well as
Captain Ingham of the same regiment won the D.S.O., and Henderson
received a Military Cross. They were eventually relieved by Captain
Tarrant and a detachment of the Highland Light Infantry next day, and
this detachment also held on until itself relieved on the 28th. An
heroic episode! Tarrant’s name always brings home to me the fact that,
notwithstanding the earnest endeavour of the higher authorities to do
justice to all, failure must sometimes occur. He had served with
distinction at Givenchy and Neuve Chapelle, and at Ypres he paid the
supreme penalty, dying a glorious death. I had mentioned him in previous
despatches, and always feel how well he (and many others) had deserved a
reward.
About 3 P.M., 26th April, General Keary ordered the Sirhind Brigade to
send up the Highland Light Infantry and 4th Gurkhas to the Jalandar
Brigade, in order to carry that Brigade forward. Meanwhile the
Ferozepore Brigade was ordered to hold on as best they could to support
the movement and if possible to gain ground. At 3.30 P.M. the Ferozepore
Brigade reported that the French line was restored. This was confirmed
later by a message from the Second Army, which said that though the
French attack had failed at first, it was now pressing forward. The
Ferozepore Brigade was then ordered to push up reinforcements to assist
the two companies Connaught Rangers who were near the German trenches.
The G.O.C. Jalandar Brigade reported that the shell and rifle fire,
especially the former, was still so heavy that he considered it would be
a useless loss of life to push forward the Highland Light Infantry and
4th Gurkhas, and the orders were cancelled.
News was received after 6 P.M. from the Canadian Division that the
Northumberland Brigade had taken the trenches in front of St. Julien,
and that the French had taken Lizerne. The 15th Sikhs and 4th Gurkhas
were ordered up from the Sirhind Brigade to the Ferozepore Brigade to
allow of a fresh attack being organised. At 7.45 P.M. these two
battalions, supported by the 9th Bhopal Infantry, advanced under the
orders of Lieut.-Colonel Hill, 15th Sikhs, their left resting on the
Langemarck road. They reached a point about 300 yards in front of old
British trenches, discovered Major Deacon and his gallant band, and
established touch with the Manchesters on their right and the French on
their left; but as the position of the German trenches was still
uncertain, and as no other troops showed signs of advancing, they halted
and entrenched themselves.
It is pleasant to record that amongst the D.C.M.’s earned during this
battle was one given to Sergeant F. Birley of the Madras Volunteer
Rifles, attached Motor Cycle Corps, for sustained gallantry extending
over several days.
At 12.30 A.M. on 27th April General Keary ordered the relief of the
Jalandar Brigade by the Sirhind Brigade in the front line. On the
completion of this by 3 A.M. the Ferozepore and Jalandar Brigades moved
back to La Brique, whilst the Sirhind Brigade, assisted by the 34th
Pioneers and 3rd Sappers and Miners, set to work to strengthen the
position.
Major W. Maxwell, R.E., received a D.S.O. for his continued gallantry as
C.O. of the Divisional Signal Company. He was spoken of in terms of the
very highest praise by all who had observed his work. Four others,
N.C.O.’s and men (two British and two Indian), received rewards for
their gallant work with the same company.
On this day none of the exact locations of the German defences were
known. The Divisional Artillery had not had time to register, nor to
find good observation stations. In consequence, the artillery fire was
not sufficiently accurate to subdue the musketry, to the degree
necessary to enable a successful attack to be carried out over the very
open ground which was the scene of the contest. The German position ran
along a ridge at the top of a gentle slope, and the attack was fully
exposed to a frontal and enfilade fire. In addition it was subjected to
the unchecked fire of a numerous and powerful Artillery. Under the
circumstances, and notwithstanding the utmost efforts of the gunners,
the resistance could not be overcome.
Owing to the difficulty of gaining any information of the enemy
trenches, it was imperative that reconnaissances should somehow be made
by night, and whenever daring is necessary the British officer only
needs the word. The corps of Royal Engineers keeps a large reserve of
this indispensable article in hand ready for use, and in the persons of
Captain Kisch and Nosworthy, young in years but by this time experienced
campaigners, two volunteers were found to undertake this task. It was
well carried out, under conditions of imminent danger, and a very
satisfactory report and sketch of a large part of the German front
trenches was obtained. Kisch was wounded during his reconnaissance, but
got back safely, and for his services in France and later in Mesopotamia
was awarded the D.S.O. Nosworthy, who was already suffering from gas
poison, was severely wounded the following day and well earned the
Military Cross he received. The information furnished by these two
officers proved of great assistance in carrying out the operations on
the following days.