The Seventeenth Highland Light Infantry (Glasgow Chamber of Commerce Battalion) (WWI Centenary Series). John W. Arthur

140,000 deaths and 5 miles gained).6th November Britain launches major offensive on the Western Front.20th November Victory for British tanks at Cambrai - The Royal flying Corps drop bombs at the same time on German anti-tank guns and strong points. Early example of the ‘Blitzkrieg’ tactics later used by Germany in World War Two.5th December Armistice between Germany and Russia signed.191816th January Riots in Vienna and Budapest with dissatisfaction at the war.3rd March Treaty of Brest-Litovsk signed between (Soviet) Russia and Germany.21st March Second Battle of the Somme marked by the German spring offensive, the ‘Kaiserschlacht’. Germans attack along a 50 mile front south of Arras.22nd March Victory for Germany with operation Michael - Use of new ‘Storm trooper’ assault to smash through British positions west of St. Quentin, taking 16,000 prisoners.23rd March Greatest air battle of the war takes place over the Somme, with 70 aircraft involved.5th April The German Spring Offensive halts outside Amiens as British and Australian forces hold the Line. The second 1917 battle of the Somme ends, as Germany calls off operation Michael.9th April Germany starts offensive in Flanders –Battle of the Lys (ends 29th April).19th May German air force launches largest raid on London, using 33 aircraft.27th May Operation Blucher – The Third German Spring Offensive attacks the French army along the Aisne River. French are forced back to the Marne, but hold the river with help from the Americans.15th July Second battle of the Marne started; final phase of German spring offensive.Start of the collapse of the German army with irreplaceable casualties.8th August Second Battle of Amiens – German resistance sporadic and thousands surrender.27th September British offensive on the CambraiFront leads to the storming of the Hindenburg Line. Battle of St. Quentin – British and U.S troops launch devastating offensives.4th October Germany asks the allies for an armistice (sent to Woodrow Wilson).8th October Allies advance along a 20 mile front from St. Quentin to Cambrai, driving the Germans back and capturing 10,000 troops.29th October Germany’s navy mutinies (at Jade).3rd November Austria makes peace. German sailors mutiny at Kiel.9th November Kaiser Wilhelm abdicates and revolution breaks out in Berlin.11th November Germany signs the armistice with the allies – coming into effect at 11.00am (official end of WWI).191910th January Communist Revolt in Berlin (Battle of Berlin).18th JanuaryParis Peace Conference Begins.25th January Principle of a League of Nations ratified.6th May Under conditions of the Peace conference, German colonies are annexed.21st June The surrendered German naval fleet at Scapa Flow was scuttled.28th June Treaty of Versailles signed.19th July Cenotaph unveiled in London.

      17th H.L.I.

      THE GIFT OF THE MEMBERS OF

      THE GLASGOW CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

      Image 1. British Highland regiments marching through Boulogne, France

      In Flanders Fields

      In Flanders fields the poppies blow

      Between the crosses, row on row,

      That mark our place; and in the sky

      The larks, still bravely singing, fly

      Scarce heard amid the guns below.

      We are the Dead. Short days ago

      We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

      Loved and were loved, and now we lie

      In Flanders fields.

      Take up our quarrel with the foe:

      To you from failing hands we throw

      The torch; be yours to hold it high.

      If ye break faith with us who die

      We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

      In Flanders fields.

      John McCrae, May 1915

      A Soldier’s Cemetery

      Behind that long and lonely trenched line

      To which men come and go, where brave men die,

      There is a yet unmarked and unknown shrine,

      A broken plot, a soldier’s cemetery.

      There lie the flower of youth, the men who scorn’d

      To live (so died) when languished Liberty:

      Across their graves flowerless and unadorned

      Still scream the shells of each artillery.

      When war shall cease this lonely unknown spot

      Of many a pilgrimage will be the end,

      And flowers will shine in this now barren plot

      And fame upon it through the years descend:

      But many a heart upon each simple cross

      Will hang the grief, the memory of its loss.

      by John William Streets (killed and missing in action on 1st July 1916 aged 31)

      “The stern hand of fate has scourged us to an elevation where we can see the great everlasting things which matter for a nation—the great peaks we had forgotten, of Honour, Duty, Patriotism, and, clad in glittering white, the great pinnacle of Sacrifice pointing like a rugged finger to Heaven.”

      David Lloyd George (1863–1945), British Liberal politician, Prime Minister. Speech, Sept. 19, 1914, Queen’s Hall, London. Quoted in Times (London, Sept. 20, 1914).

      The Seventeenth Highland Light Infantry

      EDITORS’ PREFACE.

      In compiling and editing this history of the Chamber of Commerce Battalion, the aim of the editors has been to present such a narrative as will provide a detailed but not overburdened account of the Battalion’s movements and operations throughout the years of its existence, and at the same time give a representative impression of the various outstanding events which have built up the character and the traditions of the unit.

      In accordance with the wishes of the History Committee, the narrative dealing with Field service has been kept within the limits of the Battalion’s share in the campaign, and accordingly no attempt has been made to give any picture of the relative positions of the various other units operating with the 17th, or of the general strategic import of the actions described.

      The chapters dealing with the beginnings and home training, and those general items in Part III. are founded mainly upon matter supplied by officers of the unit and members of The Outpost staff. The Roll of original members in Part IV. has been gathered together by Lieut. and Quarter-Master Kelly. The material in the section dealing with the service of the Battalion overseas has been gathered from the following sources:—

      For data—the Official War Diaries of the 17th Battalion H.L.I. preserved in the “Records” Office, Hamilton; supplementary notes supplied by Lieut.-Cols. Morton and Paul and Major Paterson, D.S.O., M.C.; Brigade and Battalion Operation Orders; Battalion Operation Reports.

      For impressions, opinions, and descriptions—numerous and exceedingly helpful literary vignettes from members of The Outpost staff and others, and from interviews.

      The Editors desire to record their appreciation of material contributed and help given by:—Lieut.-Col. Morton, Lieut.-Col.