FROM THE EDITOR'S CHAIR.
The Ypres Times.
235
18-pounder gun often required 1,000 rounds to be stacked by iteach horse could only
pack eight rounds, and in many cases covered 16 miles in doing itso the task of the
drivers was herculean. But, be the conditions what they may, there, working in unutterable
squalor, and with infinite toil, looking death straight in the face every step of the way,
went the drivers ministering to the insatiable hunger of the guns. Sufficient to them,
that ammunition was needed up in the firing batteries, nothing else mattered it was a
point of honour with the drivers that it should get there, and it was got there somehow.
As the battle increased in fury the nights were not long enough for the passage of all
requirements, and traffic, in desperation, continued in broad daylight, in full view of the
enemy, down the Pilkem road to the Steenbeek valley, until at last there was a continuous
stream throughout the twenty-four hours. That this bold measure succeeded, although
with many losses, was due to the devotion of the Heavy Artillery, working under precisely
similar conditions, in fighting down the German guns, until disorganisation crept in amongst
them. And so week succeeded week, and attack succeeded attack. Poelcapelle was
captured on October 4, and all counter-attacks shattered, partly by the gallant infantry,
and partly by the artillery.
Credit for the latter should be given to the forward observing officers and their parties.
Their duty was, perhaps, the most difficult and onerous of all. Throughout the great
battle they kept watch continuously night and day without relaxation and with complete
self-effacement. The Royal Regiment may well be proud of its subaltern officers. And no less
proud should it be of those very brave men, the telephonists and signallers, and especially
the linesmen responsible for keeping the lines in working order whatever the conditions
might be. Men were not driven to this work, rather they had often to be held back.
Decorations were given to them, but no decoration was too great a reward for what they
did. They fully appreciated their vital responsibilities, and neither the hottest fire nor
the most nerve-shattering conditions served to dismay them.
The fine, clean courage shown during this period by the British gunner and driver
in the face of unceasing danger, and their brave endurance in the presence of the uttermost
privation, perhaps passes the understanding of any but those who had the privilege of.
living with it.
The first thing I have to do is to thank my
many correspondents who have written such nice
things about the last number of The Ypres Times,
and who have sent in suggestions and stories to
help me. I am glad to know that the April
number was so much appreciated and my correspon
dents may be interested to hear that that appre
ciation was shared even by the stolid British press.
Practically all the papers gave us a notice and
some of them went the length of quoting us to
the extent of half a column.
Thus The East Anglian Daily Times says We
have no hesitation in recommending The Ypres
Times to all our readers. It is an excellent little
magazine with a still more excellent aim. The
articles are admirably written in a spirit of in
timacy which cannot fail to be understood." More
than one paper referred to the excellence of
the articles, and while The Morning Post, The
Daily Telegraph, The Irish Times, and The York
shire Post said nice things about us, other papers
reproduced our photographs or gave long extracts
from the article called Wipers and the League."
But to return to my post-bag. To one gentle
man who commanded a company at Mons and is
still a serving soldier, I am deeply grateful for
a most interesting and helpful letter. His criticism
was perhaps justified when he said that he felt
that our readers did not want to be harrowed any
more and perhaps some of the articles in the
April number were a little too much of that
nature. The only defence we can make is that
those lists of cemeteries induced thoughts which
were natural and gave to the number a tone of
sadness that was hardly meant. Neither sadness
nor harrowing is the spirit of the league.
Indeed, I cannot express that spirit better than
in my correspondent's words, I try to look back
on these spacious days, for such they were, re
membering only the wonderful men we commanded
and their steadfastness, cheerfulness and loyalty.
It is a glorious memory, is it not? They never
faltered nor whimperedwhy should we? I dare
say that you will tell me I have misunderstood
perhaps I havebut I feel you ought to help us
all to look forward with courage to the future in.
