War Office, 6th December, 1916.
The Secretary of State for War has received the following despatch
from Lieutenant-General G. F. Milne, C.B., D.S.O., Commanding
British Salonika Army:—
Headquarters, British Salonika Army, 8th October, 1916.
Sir,
I have the honour to submit the following report on the operations
carried out by the British Salonika Army since I assumed command
on 9th May, in accordance with instructions received from the
General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Egyptian Expeditionary Force.
2. On that date the greater part of the army was concentrated
within the fortified lines of Salonika, extending from Stavros
on the east to near, the Galiko River on the west; a mixed force,
consisting of a mounted brigade and a division, had been pushed
forward to the north of- Kukus in order to support the French
Army which had advanced and was watching the right bank of the
Struma River and the northern frontier of Greece. Further moves
in this direction were contemplated, but, in order to keep the
army concentrated, I entered into an agreement with General Sarrail
by which the British forces should become responsible for that
portion of the allied front which covered
Salonika from the east and north-east. By this arrangement a definite
and independent area was allotted to the army under my command.
On the 8th June the troops commenced
to occupy advanced positions along the right bank of the River
Struma and its tributary the River Butkova from Lake Tahinos to
Lozista village. By the end of July, on the demobilisation of
the Greek Army, this occupation had extended to the sea at Cajagzi.
Along the whole front the construction of a line of resistance
was begun; work on trenches, entanglements, bridgeheads and supporting
points was commenced; for administrative purposes the reconstruction
of the Salonika-Seres road was undertaken, and the cutting of
wagon tracks through the mountainous country was pushed forward.
3. On the 20th July, in accordance
with the policy laid down in my instructions, and in order to
release French troops for employment elsewhere, I began to take
over the line south and west of Lake Doiran, and commenced preparations
for a joint offensive on this front. This move was completed by
2nd August, and on the 10th of that
month an offensive was commenced against the Bulgarian defences
south of the line Doiran - Hill 535. The French captured Hills
227 and La Tortue, while the British occupied in succession those
features of the main 535 ridge now known as Kidney Hill and Horseshoe
Hill, and, pushing forward, established a series of advanced posts
on the
line Doldzeli-Reselli. The capture of Horseshoe Hill was successfully
carried out on the night 17th-18th August
by the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry at the point
of the bayonet in the face of stubborn opposition. The enemy's
counter-attacks were repulsed with heavy loss.
4. As a result of these operations it became possible to shorten
considerably the allied line between Doiran Lake and the River
Vardar, and on 29th August, in agreement
with General Sarrail, I extended my front as far as the left bank
of that river so as to set free more troops for his offensive
operations. This relief was completed by 31st August, the position
then held extending from Hill 420 to the Vardar
River'just north of Smol. In the Struma Valley a French mounted
detachment was at the same time pushed forward to Seres.
5. On the 17th August, the Bulgarians, who, at the end of May,
had entered Greek territory by the Struma Valley and moved down
as far
as Demirhisar, continued their advance into Greek Macedonia. Columns
of all arms advanced from seven different points, between Sarisaban,
on the Mesta, and Demirhisar. The four eastern columns converged
on the country about Drama and Kavala, while the remainder moved
southwards on to the line of the Struma from Demirhisar towards
Orfano. On the 19th August a mounted brigade with one battery
carried out a strong reconnaissance, and found the enemy in some
force on the line Prosenik-Barakli Dzuma; on the following day,
after being reinforced by a battalion, this brigade again advanced
in conjunction with the French detachment. These attacking troops,
after encountering the enemy in force on the line Kalendra-Prosenik-Haznatar,
withdrew after dark to the right bank of the Struma. The French
detachment was subsequently placed under the orders of the General
Officer Commanding British troops on this front, and received
instructions to co-operate in the defence of the river line. On
the 21st August the railway bridge near Angista Station was demolished
by a detachment from the Neohori garrison, and three days later
two road bridges over the Angista River were destroyed. Both these
operations were well carried out by yeomanry, engineers and cyclists
in the face of hostile opposition. The Bulgarians continued their
advance into Eastern Macedonia unopposed by the Greek garrison,
and it was estimated that by the end of August the enemy's forces,
extending from Demirhisar southwards in the Seres sector of the
Struma front, comprised the complete VII Bulgarian Division, with
two or three regiments of the XI Macedonian Division, which had
moved eastwards from their positions on the Beles mountain to
act as a reserve to the VII Division, and at the same time to
occupy the defences from Vetrina-Puljovo northwards. Opposite
the Lower Struma was a brigade of the II Division, with a brigade
of the X Division, in occupation of the coast and the zone of
country between Orfano and the Drama-Kavala road. This brigade
of the X Division was supported by another brigade in the Drama-Kavala
area. As a result of this advance and of a similar move in the
west General Sarrail decided to entrust to the British Army the
task of maintaining the greater portion of the right and centre
of the allied line.
6. On the 10th September detachments
crossed the river above Lake Tahinos at five places between Bajraktar
Mah and Dragos, while a sixth detachment crossed lower down at
Neohori. The villages of Oraoman and Kato Gudeli were occupied,
and the Northumberland Fusiliers gallantly captured Nevoljen,
taking 30 prisoners and driving the enemy out of the village.
The latter lost heavily during their retirement and in their subsequent
counter-attack. They also suffered severely from our artillery
fire in attempting to follow our pre-arranged movements to regain
the right bank of the river.
On the 15th similar operations were
undertaken, six small columns crossing the river between Lake
Tahinos and Orljak bridge. The villages of Kato Gudeli, Dzami
Mah, Agomah and Komarjan were burnt and 27 prisoners were taken.
The enemy's counter-attacks completely broke down under the accurate
fire of our guns on the right bank of the river. On the 23rd a
similar scheme was put into action, but a sudden rise of three
feet in the Struma interfered with the bridging operations. Nevertheless
the enemy's trenches at Jenimah were captured, 14 prisoners taken,
and three other villages raided. Considerable help was given on
each occasion by the French detachment under Colonel Bescoins,
and much information was obtained which proved to be of considerable
value during subsequent operations.
7. On the Doiran-River Vardar front there remained as before the
whole of the Bulgarian IX Division, less one regiment, a brigade
of the II Division, and at least two-thirds of the German 101st
Division, which had entrenched the salient north of Macukovo on
the usual German system. To assist the general offensive by the
allies I ordered this salient to be attacked at the same time
as the allied operations in the Fiorina area commenced. With this
object in view the whole of the enemy's entrenched position was
subjected to a heavy bombardment from the 11th to 13th September,
the south-west corner of the salient known as the Piton des Mitrailleuses
being specially selected for destruction. The enemy's position
was occupied during the night 13th/14th, after a skilfully-planned
and gallant assault, in which the King's Liverpool Regiment and
Lancashire Fusiliers specially distinguished themselves. Over
200 Germans were killed in the work, chiefly by bombing, and 71
prisoners were brought in. During the 14th the enemy concentrated
from three directions a very heavy artillery fire, and delivered
several counter-attacks, which were for the most part broken up
under the fire of our guns. Some of the enemy, however, succeeded
in forcing an entrance in to the work, and severe fighting followed.
As hostile reinforcements were increasing in numbers, and as the
rocky nature of the ground rendered rapid consolidation difficult,
the troops were withdrawn in the evening to their original line,
the object of the attack having been accomplished. This withdrawal
was conducted with little loss, thanks to the very effective fire
of the artillery. During the bombardment and subsequent counter-attack
the enemy's losses must have been considerable. On the same front
on the night of the 20th/21st, after bombarding the hostile positions
on the Crete des Tentes, a strong detachment raided and bombed
the trenches and dug-outs, retiring quickly with little loss.
A, similar raid was carried out north-east of Doldzeli.
8. In addition to these operations and raids constant combats
took place between patrols, many prisoners being captured, and
several bombing raids were carried out by the Royal Flying Corps.
9. In order further to assist the progress of our Allies towards
Monastir by maintaining such a continuous offensive as would ensure
no transference of Bulgarian troops from the Struma front to the
west, I now issued instructions for operations on a more extensive
scale than those already reported. In accordance with these the
General Officer Commanding on that front commenced operations
by seizing and holding certain villages on the left bank of the
river with a view to enlarging the bridgehead opposite Orljak,
whence he would be in a position to threaten a further movement
either on Seres or on Demirhisar. The high ground on the right
bank of the river enabled full use to be made of our superiority
in artillery, which contributed greatly to the success of these
operations. The river itself formed a potential danger, owing
to the rapidity with which its waters rise after heavy rain in
the mountains, but by night of the 29th
September sufficient bridges had been constructed by the
Royal Engineers for the passage of all arms. During the night
29th/30th September the attacking infantry crossed below Orljak
bridge and formed up on the left bank.
At dawn on the following morning the Gloucesters and the Cameron
Highlanders advanced under cover of an artillery bombardment,
and by 8 a.m. had seized the village of Karadzakoj Bala. Shortly
after the occupation of the village the enemy opened a heavy and
accurate artillery fire, but the remaining two battalions of the
brigade, the Royal Scots and Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders,
though suffering severely from enfilade fire, pushed on against
Karadzakoj Zir. By 5.30 p.m. that village also was occupied, in
spite of the stubborn resistance of the enemy. Attempts to bring
forward hostile reinforcements were frustrated during the day
by our artillery, but during the night the Bulgarians launched
several strong counter-attacks, which were repulsed with heavy
loss. During the following night determined
counter-attacks of the enemy were again repulsed, and by the evening
of the 2nd October the position had been fully consolidated. Preparations
were at once made to extend the position by the capture of Jenikoj,
an important village on the main Seres road. This operation was
successfully carried out by an infantry brigade, composed of the
Royal Munster and Royal Dublin Fusiliers, on the morning of the
3rd October, after bombardment by our artillery. By 7 a.m.
the village was in our hands. During the day the enemy launched
three heavy counter-attacks. The first two were stopped by artillery
fire, which caused severe loss. At 4 p.m. the village, the ground
in rear and the bridges were subjected to an unexpectedly heavy
bombardment from several heavy batteries, which had hitherto not
disclosed their positions. Following on the bombardment was the
heaviest counter-attack of the day, six or seven battalions advancing
from the direction of Homondos, Kalendra and Topalova with a view
to enveloping our positions. This attack was carried forward with
great determination, and some detachments succeeded in entering
the northern portion of Jenikoj, where hard fighting continued
all night, until fresh reinforcements succeeded in clearing out
such enemy as survived. During the following day the consolidation
of. our new line was continued under artillery fire.
On the 5th, after a bombardment,
the village of Nevoljen was occupied, the Bulgarian garrison retiring
on the approach of our infantry. By
the following evening the front extended from Komarjan on the
right via Jenikoj to Elisan on the left. On the 7th a strong reconnaissance
by mounted troops located the enemy on the Deinirhisar-Seres railway,
with advanced posts approximately on the line of the Belica stream
and a strong garrison in Barakli Dzuma. On the 8th October our
troops had reached the line Agomah-Homondos-Elisan-Ormanli,
with the mounted troops on the line Kispeki-Kalendra. The enemy's
casualties during these few days were heavy, over 1,500 corpses
being counted in the immediate front of the captured localities.
Three hundred and seventy-five prisoners and three machine guns
were taken.
I consider that the success of these operations was due to the
skill and decision with which they were conducted by Lieutenant-General
C. J. Briggs, C.B., and to the excellent cooperation of all arms,
which was greatly assisted by the exceptional facilities for observation
of artillery fire. The Royal Flying Corps, in spite of the difficulties
which they had to overcome and the great strain, on their resources,
rendered valuable assistance. Armoured motor cars were used with
effect.
10. The peculiar conditions that obtain in this country have called
from the Royal Engineers work of an arduous and important kind,
demanding the constant application of improvised methods. Road
construction and road maintenance have been continuous, and have
necessitated the employment of local labour in large numbers.
In the Base area, besides the work required on roads, the construction
of
piers, well-boring and hutting have all had to be undertaken.
The work performed by the Topographical Section has been of a
high order. Maps have been made from surveys covering, approximately,
6,500 square kilometres, and the compilation of the numerous trench
maps required has demanded incessant work. The closest cooperation
has been maintained throughout between the French and Serbian
Mapping Sections, French Aviation and Royal Flying Corps.
11. I take this opportunity to bring to notice the excellent work
performed by the Military Police. In an unaccustomed situation,
with troops of five allied nations, in addition to a mixed population,
their work has been heavy and varied in character. At all times
this has been performed with cheerfulness, zeal and discretion,
and the methods employed in control of traffic and the movements
of inhabitants
have invariably proved effective.
12. In spite of the difficulties attending the transport of supplies,
the troops have at all times had their needs promptly satisfied.
The state of the roads, both in regard to surface.and gradients,
has placed a great strain on all motor vehicles, and it redounds
to the credit of all officers concerned with the administration
and executive control of mechanical transport units that the vehicles
have been kept in a state to undertake the journeys that necessarily
had to be performed.
13. The Ordnance Services have been uniformly satisfactory throughout,
and the provision made to satisfy the requirements of the troops,
together with the forethought displayed in anticipating these
requirements, reflects the greatest credit on the officers of
the Army Ordnance Department and all ranks of the Army Ordnance
Corps.
14. The reorganisation on a pack scale of this army has necessarily
thrown a considerable additional amount of work on the Remount
Department, but the task of receiving and forwarding the large
number of animals that arrived has been ably coped with and has
proceeded without a hitch.
15. The situation of the troops and the difficulties of transport
have rendered the task of the Postal Services no easy one, yet
letters and parcels have been sent practically with unfailing
regularity to, and accepted from, all troops, even those in the
most remote position.
16. Valuable work has been performed by all ranks of the Army
Veterinary Services during the period covered by this despatch.
Sickness amongst the horses and mules incidental to the hot weather
has been, to a very large extent, minimised by the forethought
displayed by the Deputy Director of Veterinary Services and the
veterinary officers of formations.
17. On the enforcement of martial law the management of the hree
lines of railway radiating from Salonika had to be undertaken
by the allies; one line, the Junctioin-Salonika-Constantinople
line is now entirely administered by the British Army; this, together
with the additional railway traffic involved by the arrival of
the Serbian Army, as well as the Russian and Italian troops, has
thrown a considerable strain on the railway directorate, which,
however, has successfully risen to the occasion, and has worked
harmoniously and smoothly with the French military and Greek civil
officials.
18. The comparatively large increase made to the allied forces
here has necessarily, too, thrown additional difficulties on the
administration of the Lines of Communication and Base, which the
staff and personnel have ably surmounted, and the work of receiving,
forwarding and storing supplies, etc., has proceeded smoothly.
19. The spiritual ministrations to the troops have been thoroughly
well conducted during a period in which sickness, owing to heat
and malaria, was unfortunately somewhat rife. The chaplains of
all denominations have not spared themselves in carrying out their
duties under these adverse conditions.
20. I desire specially to acknowledge the excellent work rendered
by Surgeon-General H. R. Whitehead, C.B., and all ranks of the
medical services under his command during a period in which sickness
was prevalent. All branches of the Royal Army Medical Corps and
the Canadian Army Medical Corps deserve the greatest commendation
and have fully maintained their high traditions of efficiency.
The medical services have been called upon to face problems of
great difficulty. It can be easily realised that in a climate
varying from severe cold to intense damp heat, and in a mountainous
country deficient in water, poorly supplied with roads, without
local resources, and where dysentery and malaria are rife, the
duties and responsibilities of these services must necessarily
be heavy. Experiments as to the most efficacious types of mountain
ambulance transport had been conducted in the winter and spring,
and as a result travois, mule litters and cacolets now form integral
portions of each field ambulance. During the same period exhaustive
measures were taken for an antimalarial campaign. Officers with
special knowledge were appointed to supervise anti-malarial work;
swampy areas were drained and the defensive lines then held carefully
surveyed with a view to only the most healthy portions being held.
Although malaria has still been the prevailing disease, yet I
feel certain that these careful precautionary measures have been
greatly instrumental in lessening its intensity.
The move to the valley of the Struma in June, tested all the preparations
made, and severely tried the medical resources. The area occupied
was found to be highly malarious, the heat intense and damp, and
the single road from the base long, hilly, and of uneven surface.
The organisation of this line of evacuation and the arrangement
of halting places and refilling points was, however, successfully
undertaken. The work performed by the Motor Ambulance Convoys
was invaluable. Running practically continuously, they succeeded
in coping with the calls made upon them, difficulties were minimised
by the forethought and energy displayed and the sick were transferred
with satisfactory expedition to the Base hospitals. The preparations
for offensive operations on the Doiran front towards the end of
July necessitated further developments in the rearward medical
services. Efficient ambulance railway trains were improvised from
local rolling stocks, and a railway line of evacuation organised.
From the eastern extremity of the British line of defence evacuation
by sea is the only feasible course. Three distinct systems are
therefore in operation at one and the same time, by railway, by
road and by sea, all converging on one base. When active operations
commenced the roles of the various forms of mountain ambulance
transport organised for the field ambulances became apparent.
On open hillsides, along the beds of ravines, over slopes covered
with scrub, relay parties of stretcher-bearers, travois, litters
and cacolets, conveyed the wounded back to the dressing stations.
The use of improvised methods in action shows vividly the special
conditions under which the medical services of the army have been
called upon to work, and has necessitated the closest co-operation
between staffs and medical units.
The advice of the consultant physicians and surgeons, and of the
medical experts who have visited this army, has considerably aided
in
the maintenance of a high standard of technical efficiency. The
close touch in matters of sanitation between the medical services
of field
formations, the staff, and unit commanders, has been of the greatest
benefit in maintaining the health and comfort of the troops. I
cannot
conclude my remarks on the medical services without paying testimony
to the devoted service rendered by the nursing sisters belonging
to the various hospitals. By their skill, care and attention,
at a time of great stress under trying climatic conditions, the
sufferings of the patients have been largely alleviated.
I further wish to thank the British Red Cross Society and Order
of St. John for its help and assistance. The Commissioner, Mr.
H. L. Fitzpatrick, has been indefatigable in his endeavours for
the welfare and comfort of the sick and wounded in both the Base
hospitals and field units.
21. The work of the Army Pay Department has been carried out to
my entire satisfaction, while the visit in August of Colonel D.
Neylan, War Office financial adviser and auditor, proved of the
greatest help, and aided materially in clearing up all outstanding
financial questions and in co-ordinating future policy.
22. On the declaration of martial law at Salonika on the 3rd June,
certain administrative functions had necessarily to be taken over
from the Greeks by the allies; amongst these was the control of
the Customs, which is now administered by a Greek director working
under the supervision of a commission composed of British and
French officers directed by French Headquarters. The administration
of this important office has been conducted with discretion and
common sense.
23. Shortly after the arrival of the British Army here, a careful
investigation was made into the methods that would ensure the
most satisfactory and prompt settlement of the numerous and intricate
cases in which compensation would be claimed. Rules were drawn
up, and the French Army invited to co-operate. As a result a most
satisfactory system has been instituted; economy has attended
the good
methods adopted, and the results attained reflect the greatest
credit on all concerned.
24. Finally I should like to express my warm appreciation of the
close co-operation afforded me by Vice-Admirals Sir John de Robeck,
K.C.B., and Sir Cecil Thursby, K.C.M.G., and by the officers and
men of the Royal Navy under their orders, in all matters connected
with both active operations at the mouth of the Struma and in
the well-being of the Army. The harmonious relationship that has
existed between the two services has greatly assisted combined
action. The naval transport officers on the lines of communication
have worked untiringly, efficiently, and cordially with their
Army colleagues. The Royal Naval Air Service has also afforded
me valuable information.
25. I submit a list of the names of those officers, non-commissioned
officers and men whose services I consider deserving of special
mention.
I have the honour to Be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
G. F. MILNE,
Lieutenant-General,
Commanding British Salonika Army.
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