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Special order of the Day - The First World War - April 1918

In early 1918 the German army was put onto the offensive. Rapidly running out of resources with which to wage war and suffering shortages of essentials such as food the German High Command decided to launch a massive, and hopefully decisive, offensive against the Allied lines. Along the length of the front-line bombardments were made with increased ferocity and over prolonged periods of time. Raids on trenches were frequent and sustained attacks made in a number of places along the line as the Germans desperately tried to finish the war before troops and weapons from America could be used by the Allies. Losses on both sides were high as the Allies struggled to hold back the surging German forces. Having suffered heavy casualties, along with the loss of territory, Field Marshal Douglas Haig issued a famous order to all men of the British Army in France and Flanders. Essentially Haig was calling for a 'backs to the wall' attitude, don't give up, do not surrender, fight to your last breath. The order has been viewed as being both desperate and inspiring by different historians. Either way the British forces managed to hold the line and later, with American support and weapons, turned the tide and regained the lost territory.

Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig's Special order of the day was issued to every ember of the British Armed Forces on the Western Front. The full order can be read below:

SPECIAL ORDER OF THE DAY
By FIELD-MARSHAL SIR DOUGLAS HAIG
K.T., G.C.B., G.C.V.O., K.C.I.E.
Commander-in-Chief, British Armies in France

To ALL RANKS OF THE BRITISH ARMY IN FRANCE AND FLANDERS

Three weeks ago to-day the enemy began his terrific attacks against us on a fifty-mile front. His objects are to separate us from the French, to take the Channel Ports and destroy the British Army.

In spite of throwing already 106 Divisions into the battle and enduring the most reckless sacrifice of human life, he has as yet made little progress towards his goals.

We owe this to the determined fighting and self-sacrifice of our troops. Words fail me to express the admiration which I feel for the splendid resistance offered by all ranks of our Army under the most trying circumstances.

Many amongst us now are tired. To those I would say that Victory will belong to the side which holds out the longest. The French Army is moving rapidly and in great force to our support.

There is no other course open to us but to fight it out. Every position must be held to the last man: there must be no retirement. With our backs to the wall and believing in the justice of our cause each one of us must fight on to the end. The safety of our homes and the Freedom of mankind alike depend upon the conduct of each one of us at this critical moment.

(Signed) D. Haig F.M.
Commander-in-Chief
British Armies in France

General Headquarters
Tuesday, April 11th, 1918