THE YPRES TIMES
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subsequent command of the 2nd Army Corps during the retreat, on the Marne,
and again on the Aisne, and later in Flanders, at La Bassée, Givenchy, and Neuve
Chapelle, are too well known to my readers to be recapitulated. It must suffice
here to recall that Von Kluck, the Commander of the German Army, who
opposed Smith-Dorrien at Le Cateau, admitted later that but for Smith-Dorrien's
amazingly skilful leadership on that occasion the war would have terminated in a
few weeks in favour of Germany. Our own official historian sums up that great
fight with the conclusion that Smith-Dorrien's troops had done what was
thought impossible."
In December, 1914, Sir Horace was promoted to the command of the Second
Army. Soon after arose that most lamentable difference in judgment between
him and the Commander-in-Chief, as regards the retention of the extreme Ypres
Salient, and that still more unfortunate method adopted by Sir John French of
showing his displeasure by deliberately withdrawing troops from Smith-Dorrien's
command, until it became obvious that the Army Commander no longer enjoyed
the support of the Commander-in-Chief. Smith-Dorrien, like the great gentle
man and true soldier he always was, put himself and his career entirely on one
side, and in a letter whose frank simplicity will ever stand out in history, tendered
his resignation.
So ended a great leader's career, to the lamentable loss of the Army and the
Empire, for though he was selected subsequently as Commander-in-Chief in East
Africa, a severe illness prevented him assuming that task, and he was not to be seen
in the field again, though five years' dignified employment as Governor of Gib
raltar (1918-1923) were granted to him.
The magnitude of Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien's services as a Commander in the
Great War, though ill requited at the time, has now been fully established by the
official historian, and is universally recognized.
Of his greatness as a man, the most striking proofs are the dignity and
reserve with which, in his Reminiscences," he records his resignation of the
command of the Second Army, without one word of bitterness or reproach. He
does not even allude by word or hint to the amazing attack made unofficially by
Lord French on the conduct of the Battle of Le Cateau, which he himself but a
brief time earlier had most strongly commended in his official despatches. More
over, throughout Smith-Dorrien's Reminiscences the one man in them who
is never criticized, directly or indirectly, but is always commended whenever
praise can be given, is Lord French of others in high places Smith-Dorrien did
not refrain from criticism, but always with the best of temper and kindliness
of judgment. To those who had the good fortune to serve under him, he never
failed to pay more than generous tribute. Of his contemporaries' work, there is
ever the fullest recognition.
It is not surprising, therefore, that such a man should have won, and ever
held, the hearts of all who had the privilege to serve under or with him. As to
this I would give a little example. In the spring of 1915 some half a dozen of the
Old Contemptibles," convalescent from wounds received in the early months of
the Great War, were overheard discussing together, in a little soldiers' rest house
in Salisbury, the various Commanders under whom they had served in France.
Their speech was free, and this or that criticism was made without reserve on
General after General. At last Smith-Dorrien's name cropped up, there was a
brief silence, and then a general chorus, Oh, Smith-Dorrien," (the last syllable
strongly accentuated) he's a bit of all right!"
A bit of all right aye, he was just that, as Commander, as comrade, as
frienda man whom England should ever honour and remember.
E. A. Altham, Lieut.-General.
