Sir Ivor Maxse
Tuesday 23rd
October 1917
The adjutant
of the 7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, tells me that the commander of
XVIII Corps, Lieutenant-General Sir Ivor Maxse, has issued a congratulatory
telegram to 18th (Eastern Division) after the success by 53rd Brigade
yesterday. It reads: “The XVIII Corps Commander sends his hearty
congratulations on the success of the 18th Division on the 22nd instant. He
adds that this success was gained in spite of bad weather, bad mud and hot
artillery fire, and that all concerned deserve great credit from highest to lowest”.
It was issued via Major Arthur Percival, ex-7th Bedfords, now Acting Brigade
Major of 54th Infantry Brigade.
The adjutant
remarked wryly that he was not sure what Sir Ivor was congratulating the
Bedfords about, possibly on resting, refitting and bathing, which was their
part in yesterday’s attack! Of course, Sir Ivor was commander-in-chief of 18th
Division until his promotion in January this year.
No comments:
Post a Comment