Since the date of my last report some divisions of the "New" Army have
arrived in this country.
I made a close inspection of one division, formed up on parade, and
have at various times seen several units belonging to others.
These divisions have as yet had very little experience in actual
fighting; but, judging from all I have seen, I am of opinion that they
ought to prove a valuable addition to any fighting force.
As regards the infantry, their physique is excellent, whilst their
bearing and appearance on parade reflects great credit on the officers
and staffs responsible for their training. The units appear to be
thoroughly well officered and commanded. The equipment is in good
order and efficient.
Several units of artillery have been tested in the firing line behind
the trenches, and I hear very good reports of them. Their shooting has
been extremely good, and they are quite fit to take their places in
the line.
The Pioneer Battalions have created a very favorable impression, the
officers being keen and ingenious, and the men of good physique and
good diggers. The equipment is suitable. The training in field works
has been good, but, generally speaking, they require the assistance of
Regular Royal Engineers as regards laying out of important works. Man
for man in digging the battalions should do practically the same
amount of work as an equivalent number of sappers, and in riveting,
entanglements, etc., a great deal more than the ordinary infantry
battalions.
During the months of April and May several divisions of the
Territorial Force joined the Army under my command.
Experience has shown that these troops have now reached a standard of
efficiency which enables them to be usefully employed in complete
divisional units.
Several divisions have been so employed; some in the trenches, others
in the various offensive and defensive operations reported in this
dispatch.
In whatever kind of work these units have been engaged, they have all
borne an active and distinguished part, and have proved themselves
thoroughly reliable and efficient.
The opinion I have expressed in former dispatches as to the use and
value of the Territorial Force has been fully justified by recent
events.
The Prime Minister was kind enough to accept an invitation from me to
visit the Army in France, and arrived at my Headquarters on May 30.
Mr. Asquith made an exhaustive tour of the front, the hospitals and
all the administrative arrangements made by Corps Commanders for the
health and comfort of men behind the trenches.
It was a great encouragement to all ranks to see the Prime Minister
amongst them; and the eloquent words which on several occasions he
addressed to the troops had a most powerful and beneficial effect.
As I was desirous that the French Commander-in-Chief should see
something of the British troops, I asked General Joffre to be kind
enough to inspect a division on parade.
The General accepted my invitation, and on May 27 he inspected the 7th
Division, under the command of Major-General H. de la P. Gough, C.B.,
which was resting behind the trenches.
General Joffre subsequently expressed to me in a letter the pleasure
it gave him to see the British troops, and his appreciation of their
appearance on parade. He requested me to make this known to all
ranks.
The Moderator of the Church of Scotland, the Right Rev. Dr. Wallace
Williamson, Dean of the Order of the Thistle, visited the Army in
France between May 7 and 17, and made a tour of the Scottish regiments
with excellent results.
In spite of the constant strain put upon them by the arduous nature of
the fighting which they are called upon to carry out daily and almost
hourly, the spirit which animates all ranks of the Army in France
remains high and confident.
They meet every demand made upon them with the utmost cheerfulness.
This splendid spirit is particularly manifested by the men in
hospital, even amongst those who are mortally wounded.
The invariable question which comes from lips hardly able to utter a
sound is, "How are things going on at the front?"
In conclusion, I desire to bring to your Lordship's special notice the
valuable services rendered by General Sir Douglas Haig in his
successful handling of the troops of the First Army throughout the
Battle of Festubert, and Lieutenant-General Sir Herbert Plumer for his
fine defence of Ypres throughout the arduous and difficult operations
during the latter part of April and the month of May.