The most important feature of the despatch centres round the fight-"Jing in the vicinity of Givenchy, where the officer commanding the Indian Corps decidsd* to take advantage of what appeared to be a favourable opportunity to launch attacks. On December 18 and 19 the Meerut and Lahore Divisions gained initial successes, but were eventually compelled to evacuate the trenches they had captured, On December 20 the Germans assumed the offensive, capturing part of Givenchy. A very desperate struggle onaned, the Bri and French coming to the support of the Indian troops and re-establishing practically the old lines on the '22nd.
Field-Marshal Sir John French says that the Indian troops fought with the utmost—steadfastness and gallantry whenever called upon.
Abnormally bad weather preclude ed active operations during the first three weeks in January. Then, till the end of the month, there was heavy hand-to-hand fighting in the vicinity of Bethune and Givenchy. The Germans penetrated our lines at some places, but eventually were repulsed everywhere with very heavy loss. The officer ocommandthe lst jon described the artillery firs as splendid, its precision as absolute.
Field-Marshal Sir John French says that the Corps Commanders give loud and unstinted praise to the Territorials and Yeomanry forming a part of nearly all the brigades in the first line. He declares that the troops in France have been subjected to the severest strain possible; nevertheless their it remains high and confident and their general health excellent. The appearance of the men, if somewhat war-worn, is neve soldierlike and splendid. He parti-
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.