Translation.

Now that the XXII. British Corps has received orders to leave the Fifth (French) Army, the Army Commander expresses to all the thanks and admiration which the great deeds, that it has just accomplished, deserve.

The very day of its arrival, feeling in honour bound to take part in the victorious counter-attack which had just stopped the enemy's furious onslaught on the Marne, and had begun to hurl him back in disorder to the North, the XXII. Corps, by forced marches and with minimum opportunity for reconnaissance, threw itself with ardour into the battle.

By constant efforts, by harrying and by driving back the enemy for ten successive days, it has made itself master of the Valley of the Ardre, which it has so freely watered with its blood.

Thanks to the heroic courage and proverbial tenacity of the British, the continued efforts of this brave Army Corps have not been in vain.

21 officers and 1,300 other ranks taken prisoner, 140 Machine Guns, and 40 Guns captured from an enemy, four of whose Divisions have been successively page 78broken and repulsed; the Upper Valley of the Ardre, with its surrounding heights to the north and south, reconquered; such is the record of the British share in the operations of the Fifth Army.

Highlanders under the orders of General Carter-Campbell, commanding the 55th Division; Yorkshire lads under the orders of General Braithwaite, commanding the 62nd Division; Australian and New Zealand Mounted Troops; all officers and men of the XXII. Army Corps, so ably commanded by General Sir A. Godley, you have added a glorious page to your history.

Marfaux, Chaumuzy, Montagne De Bligny—all these famous names will be written in letters of gold in the annals of your regiments.

Your French comrades will always remember with emotion your splendid gallantry and your perfect fellowship in the fight.