Friday 8th
September 1916: From our Correspondent in
the Field
Following
theire dogged fighting at Falfemont Farm the 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire
Regiment, has been receiving due praise. Their brigadier wrote to each of the
four battalions under his command (1):
“The
Brigadier General Commanding feels he cannot too warmly express his admiration
of the fine soldierly qualities again displayed by all ranks during the recent
operations”.
“The taking
of Falfemont Farm, a most important and strongly defended post, was a
magnificent performance and is one of the greatest successes accomplished
during the war”.
“This was
made possible entirely by the good handling of their Battalions by Commanding
Officers and the devoted conduct of all ranks”.
“Heavy
working parties were required when the Brigade was not in the Line and these
did excellent work”.
“The
Brigadier-General thanks all ranks for their support and co-operation and
trusts the Brigade will shortly enjoy a well earned rest”
Colonel
Allason has also addressed his men, and your correspondent was privileged to
watch his stirring address: “I have come here this morning to read to you a
message that we have received from the Commander-in-Chief”(2).
“He says,
with reference to the late operations, "The rapid advance on Leuze Wood,
following on the capturing of Falfemont Farm, showed great judgement and
determination, and has been of considerable assistance to the French Army on
our right””.
““I very
warmly congratulate you and the Commanders and Staffs and the Troops under you
on the results you have already achieved and on the energy and determination
with which they were followed up””.
“Well, now,
you’re the people who took Falfemont Farm, and I am very glad to be able to
tell you that not only the Commander-in-Chief, but the Army Commander and the
Corps Commander all realise what a great and glorious fight it was”.
“It makes it
all the better that you did it after there had been a failure; that always
makes it more difficult”.
“Nothing in
the world could have been finer than the show you fellows put up by that Farm
and the line up to Wedge Wood on the left of it. It was magnificent”.
“I want to
thank you all for what you have done and tell you that everybody thoroughly
understands what a good show it was”.
There have
been some other good shows today. 1st Division has taken the western half of
the vile remains of High Wood and 55th Division defeated a German attack in the early hours of the morning.
Source: X550/2/5
(1)
1st Battalion, Norfolk Regiment, 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire
Regiment, 1st Battalion, Cheshire Regiment, 16th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire
Regiment .
(2)
General Sir Douglas Haig
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