Generals Of The British Army

CONTENTS


_INTRODUCTION_

I.--HAIG, FIELD MARSHAL SIR DOUGLAS, K.T., G.C.B., G.C.V.O.,
K.C.I.E., =A.D.C.=

II.--PLUMER, GENERAL SIR H. C. O., G.C.M.G., G.C.V.O., K.C.B.,
=A.D.C.=

III.--RAWLINSON, GENERAL SIR H. S., Bart., G.C.V.O., K.C.B.,
K.C.V.O.

IV.--GOUGH, SIR H. De La POER, K.C.B., K.C.V.O.

V.--ALLENBY, GENERAL SIR E. H., K.C.B.

VI.--HORNE, GENERAL SIR H. S., K.C.B.

VII.--BIRDWOOD, LIEUT.-GEN. SIR W. R., K.C.B., K.C.S.I., K.C.M.G.,
C.I.E., D.S.O.

VIII.--BYNG, GENERAL THE HON. SIR J. H. G., K.C.B., K.C.M.G.,
M.V.O.

IX.--CONGREVE, LIEUT.-GEN. SIR W. N., =V.C.=, K.C.B., M.V.O.

X.--HALDANE, LIEUT.-GEN. J. A. L., C.B., D.S.O.

XI.--WATTS, LIEUT.-GEN. H. E., C.B., C.M.G.

XII.--SMUTS, LIEUT.-GEN. THE RT. HON. JAN C., P.C., K.C., M.L.A.




INTRODUCTION.


This small portrait gallery of British generals represents, in fair
epitome, the drama of British history. Each of the officers who figure
here has behind him a varied story of fighting in strange places, under
all sorts of conditions, as well as in the tense atmosphere of modern
scientific war; each of them has first had to struggle against heavy
odds before arriving at the conditions which at present obtain on the
Western front. Infantrymen, cavalrymen, artillerists, they have come
through a fiery trial to command large bodies of troops in the most
terrible struggle of our history.

The part of their story that is concerned in this war is memorable, and
may we not say it, memorably fine? For these are not the leaders of that
vast host whose shadow has hung over Europe for so many years, whose
numbers and efficiency have been the evil dream of the international
situation; but of that small contingent that, for an ideal, took the
field light-heartedly, against the vast German horde. Even the Belgian
army was more numerous than the Expeditionary Force that struck its
first blow before Mons; and these leaders have memories of the days when
it was the equal in nothing, save undaunted courage and tactical
ability, of the army in whose path it stood.

They have seen every type of fighting. The war of movements with its
swift changes and long hazards was their first experience, an experience
that none of those who took part in it will ever forget. For some
terrible days the British army stood between the Allies and disaster;
but the experience it bought was handed on to the enemy in a series of
engagements, the lesson of which he softens by proclaiming the first
seven divisions to have been unique. The admission is sufficiently
revealing, for the handful of troops ought to have been crushed at Mons;
or, escaping thence, should have been penned into Maubeuge; or, evading
that trap, should have met annihilation at Le Cateau. But they fought
coolly, were manoeuvred skilfully, saving themselves by sheer fighting
ability from the tide which threatened to overwhelm them.

Only consummate leaders could have taken an army to the Marne. The army
ought to have been wiped out long before. The Germans had fully resolved
upon it, they had the men and guns to encompass it, their long-perfected
plans depended upon it. The British, wearied by the pressure of a
hurried retreat, fought almost without cover against a great
concentration of guns. But not only did they fight with superb spirit;
they fought also with that instinctive appreciation of tactics which
comes from perfectly assimilated experience. When the German blow had
over reached itself, the British Generals were able to advance, threaten
the left wing of Von Kluck's army when his right was dealing with
General Manoury's outflanking movement on the Ourcq, outmanoeuvre and
outfight the enemy on the Aisne and secure tactical advantages of the
first importance. In the victory of the Marne not the least wonderful of
many arresting features was this effective recoil of the army which the
Germans had announced to be "dispersed" ten days before.