Copies of the following messages and letters are attached:—
(1) From Major-General H. S. JEUDWINE, C.B., G.O.C. 55th Division, to Brigadier-General C. I. STOCKWELL, D.S.O., Commanding 164th Brigade.
(2) 55th Division Special Order of the Day.
(3) Letter from 5th Army Headquarters to XIX. Corps.
(4) 5th Army Commander’s Congratulations.
Fifth Army.
2nd August, 1917.
Appendix to D.R.O.’s of 7th August, 1917.
Army Commander’s Congratulations.
1. The Army Commander wishes to offer his heartiest congratulations to the troops under his command on the success gained by them on July 31st.
2. For a fortnight prior to the attack the enemy has maintained a heavy and continuous artillery fire, including an unprecedented use of H.V. guns against back areas and a new form of gas shell, all of which caused severe casualties. Despite this and the fact that the forward area was dominated by the enemy at all points, the necessary preparations for the battle were completed and the difficult forward march and assembly of nine Divisions successfully carried out and the assault launched. This alone constitutes a performance of which the Army may well be proud.
3. As a result of the battle, the enemy has once again been driven by the 1st French Army and ourselves from the whole of his front system on a front of about eight miles, and we are now firmly established in or beyond his second line on a front of seven miles.