Major General Hubert Gough
Tuesday 25th May 1915: Readers will remember that we expressed some reservations about a speech given to the 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment by its brigadier a few days ago. We are pleased to report that the adjutant of this unit spoke with us last night, telling us that yesterday the divisional commander, Sir Hubert Gough, had come round the battalion’s billets in Bellerive, speaking to the men and praising them for their work in the late attack, saying they had done splendidly and that he was proud to have the Battalion in his Division. This is the sort of leadership our men need and we feel confident that a bright future awaits this general officer(1).
Source X550/3/wd
(1) Gough’s reputation grew the longer he was at the front as he was seen as energetic and thrusting. Unfortunately, promoted to commanding officer of 5th Army he performed poorly at Bullecourt during the Battle of Arras and the opening of the Third Battle of Ypres in 1917. His army was overrun by the German Spring Offensive of 1918 as it was too stretched by having to take over a longer frontage to help the French and ironically, Gough was then sacked for something which was not really his fault.
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