In the introductory part of his despatch Sir John French
says that the visit of the King was excellently timed. It came just when the men's endurance had been tried to the utmost by the long battle of Ypres-Armentieres, and it was the greatest help and encouragement. At the beginning of December a certain amount of the enemy's artillery was withdrawn from the British front, but there did not appear to be much diminution in the German infantry. We cannot reproduce the details of the particular actions which are described. They leave on the mind a very vivid impression of the intensity of the fighting and of the number of deeds of great gallantry which have been performed. The splendid work of the airmen is again praised. The role has been observed to attack hostile aircraft whenever seen, and the result is that the German airmen retire when chased.
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