Monday 30th April 1917
The attacks
around Arras have again ended for the time being allowing another drawing in of
breath by troops who are now very tired after some gruelling fighting.
The adjutant
of the 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, tells us that 1st Army, to which
63rd (Royal Naval) Division belongs has received a telegram from the Commander-in-Chief,
Sir Douglas Haig: “My congratulations to you and the troops engaged on the good
work done yesterday especially in the capture of Gavrelle”. Clearly the
telegram was sent on 24th April but has only just been read to the troops after
their bitter engagements near Oppy over the last two days.
Brigadier-General
W H E Finch yesterday sent a rather longer message to the men of his Brigade,
190th: “I wish to express to the Officers, N.C.Os. and men of the Brigade my
high appreciation of the work they have carried out during the last tour of
duty in the trenches. In spite of the very heavy casualties units have
sustained, objectives have not only been gained but held, thus enabling the
Brigade to retain the high reputation which it already holds. I trust C.Os.
will acquaint all ranks of the above, and that the past fourteen days may serve
as a fresh incentive to the training of the men of the Brigade”.
No comments:
Post a Comment