Chapter I: Preface

This fifth volume deals with one of the most tremendous episodes in history, when the vigour of the German attack and the desperate resistance of the British both on the Somme and in Flanders, held an awestruck world in suspense. A million men released from the Russian front, rolled across Europe and, swelling that great tide which was already banked up before the British breakwater, it washed over all the front line barriers and threatened at one time to sweep down to the sea. The account of how the British Army, upon which incomparably the greater pressure fell, rose to the occasion and first slowed and then held the terrific flood is one of the most wonderful of military epics. At the same time every credit must be given to the loyalty of the French commanders who, while guarding their own extended lines, endeavoured to spare all possible help to their hard-pressed Allies. This volume carries the story of the German attack to its close. The next and final one will describe the enormous counter-attack of the Allies leading up to their final victory.

The Chronicler has been faced by many obstacles in endeavouring to preserve both accuracy and historical proportion while writing contemporary history. He would gratefully acknowledge that his {vi} critics in the press have shown a kindly indulgence, which arises, no doubt, from an appreciation of these difficulties. There has, however, been one conspicuous exception to which he would desire to call attention, since a large question of literary etiquette is involved. From the beginning a series of unflattering and anonymous articles have appeared in _The Times_ Literary Supplement, commenting adversely upon each volume in turn, and picking out the pettiest details for animadversion. Upon enquiry, these articles--in whole or part--are admitted to have been written by the Hon. J. W. Fortescue, who is himself the official historian of the War. On being remonstrated with, this gentleman could not be brought to see that it is not fitting that he should make anonymous attacks, however _bonâ fide_, upon a brother author who is working upon the same subject and is therefore in the involuntary position of being a humble rival.

Having stated the facts they may be left to the judgment of the public.

ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE.

CROWBOROUGH,
_May_ 1, 1919.

{vii}

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I

EVENTS UPON THE BRITISH FRONT UP TO MARCH 21, 1918

The prospects of the Allies--Great dangers from the Russian collapse--State of the British line--Huge German preparations--Eve of the Great Offensive

CHAPTER II

THE SECOND BATTLE OF THE SOMME

Attack on the Seventeenth and Sixth Corps

Disposal of the Third Army--Attack upon the Third Division--Upon the Thirty-fourth Division--Upon the Fifty-ninth Division--Terrible losses--Loss of Henin Hill--Arrival of Thirty-first Division--Hard fighting of the Fortieth Division--The East Yorkshires at Ervillers--The 15th West Yorks at Moyenneville--Recapture of Ayette--Grand resistance of Third, Fifteenth, and Fourth Divisions before Arras--Final German check in the north

CHAPTER III

THE SECOND BATTLE OF THE SOMME

Attack on the Fourth and Fifth Corps

Attack on Sixth and Fifty-first Divisions--Engagement of the Twenty-fifth and Forty-first Divisions--Attack on Forty-seventh, Sixty-third, Second, and Nineteenth Divisions--The German torrent--Serious situation--Arrival of Sixty-second Division--Fighting before Albert--Gallant defence by Twelfth Division--Arrival of the New Zealanders, of the Australians, of the Thirty-fifth Division--Equilibrium

{viii}

CHAPTER IV

THE SECOND BATTLE OF THE SOMME

Attack on the Fifth Army. March 21

The Fifth Army front--The story of a Redoubt--Attack upon Congreve's Seventh Corps--Upon Watts' Nineteenth Corps--Upon Maxse's Eighteenth Corps--Upon Butler's Third Corps--Terrific pressure--Beginning of the Retreat--Losses of Guns

CHAPTER V

THE SECOND BATTLE OF THE SOMME

Retreat of the Seventh and Nineteenth Corps

Problems before General Gough--His masterful action--Arrival of Thirty-ninth, Twentieth, and Fiftieth Divisions--Retreat of Tudor's Ninth Scottish Division--Destruction of the South Africans--Defence of the Somme--Arrival of the Eighth Division--Desperate fighting--The Carey line--Death of General Feetham--"Immer fest daran"--Advance, Australia--Great achievement of General Watts

CHAPTER VI

THE SECOND BATTLE OF THE SOMME

The Retreat of the Eighteenth Corps

Retreat of the Sixty-first Division--The Gloucesters at Beauvais--Fall of Ham--Retreat of the Thirtieth and Thirty-sixth Divisions--Great privations of the men--Fine feat at Le Quesnoy--Summary of the experience of Maxse's Corps

CHAPTER VII

THE SECOND BATTLE OF THE SOMME

The Retreat of the Third Corps

Movement across the Crozat Canal--Fight of the 173rd Brigade--Forcing of the Canal Line--Arrival of the French--Fight of Frières Wood--Splendid work of the Cavalry--Loss of Noyon--Final equilibrium--General retrospect of the Battle

CHAPTER VIII

THE SOMME FRONT FROM APRIL 1 ONWARDS

The last waves of the storm--The Twelfth Division at Albert--The Forty-seventh Division at Aveluy Wood--The Australians in the {ix}

south--Capture of Villers-Bretonneux by the Germans--Recapture by Australians and Eighth Division--Fierce fighting--The first turn of the tide

CHAPTER IX

THE BATTLE OF THE LYS

April 9-12

The Flanders front--Great German onslaught--Disaster of the Portuguese--Splendid stand at Givenchy of the Fifty-fifth Division--Hard fight of the Fortieth Division--Loss of the Lys--Desperate resistance of the Fiftieth Division--Thirty-fourth Division is drawn into the Battle--Attack in the north upon the Ninth, Nineteenth, and Twenty-fifth Divisions--British retreat--General survey of the situation

CHAPTER X

THE BATTLE OF THE LYS

April 13 to May 8

Desperate situation--Sir Douglas Haig's "Win or Die" message--Epic of the 4th Guards Brigade at Hazebrouck--Arrival of First Australian Division--Splendid services of Thirty-third Division--Loss of Armentières, Bailleul, and Neuve Eglise--The First Division at Givenchy--Fall of Kemmel--Battle of Ridge Wood--Great loss of ground--Equilibrium

CHAPTER XI

THE BATTLES OF THE CHEMIN DES DAMES AND OF THE ARDRES

May 27 to June 2

The rest cure of the Aisne--Attack upon the Fiftieth Division--Upon the Twenty-first--Fifth Battery R.F.A.--Glorious Devons--Adventure of General Rees--Retreat across the Aisne--Over the Vesle--Arrival of Nineteenth Division--Desperate fighting--Success of 4th Shropshires--General Pellé's tribute--General prospect of the Allies midway through 1918

INDEX

{xi}

MAPS AND PLANS

British Battle Line, March 21

Position at the Close of the Great Retreat, March 30

Rough Sketch of the General Position of Troops at the Battle of Villers-Bretonneux, April 24-25

Rough Sketch of Guards' Position, April 13

Defence of Givenchy by the First Division, April 18

Position of the Line in Flanders, April 9

British Line on Chemin des Dames

Map to illustrate the British Campaign in France and Flanders

{1}