Attachment 220885
April 10th 1917
We will start with the ongoing reports coming in from the Battle of Vimy Ridge (part of the wider Arras offensive), we will also have yet more VCs awarded, more losses from the ranks of the Great War Poets (really bad couple of days to have been a poet, and one staggering piece of 'fake news' proving this is not something new made up by 'the Donald' and those he accuses of conspiring against him. (warning article not suitable for small children or those of a squeamish disposition)
The British moved three fresh brigades up to the Red Line by 9:30 am on 10 April to support the advance of the 1st and 2nd Canadian Division, whereupon they were to leapfrog existing units occupying the Red line and advance to the Blue Line. Fresh units including two sections of tanks and the 13th British Brigade were called up from reserve to support the advance of the 2nd Canadian Division. By approximately 11:00 am, the Blue Line, including Hill 135 and the town of Thélus, had been captured.To permit the troops time to consolidate the Blue Line, the advance halted and the barrage remained stationary for 90 minutes while machine guns were brought forward. Shortly before 1:00 pm, the advance recommenced with both the 1st and 2nd Canadian Divisions reporting their final objective. The tank supported advance via Farbus, and directed at the rear of the 79th Reserve Division, was eventually halted by concentrated German fire short of the village.The Canadian 1st and 2nd Divisions were nonetheless able to secure the Brown Line by approximately 2:00 pm. The 4th Canadian Division had made an attempt to capture the northern half of Hill 145 at around 3:15 pm, briefly capturing the peak before a German counterattack retook the position. The Germans occupying the small salient on ridge soon found themselves being attacked along their flanks by continuously reinforced Canadian Corps troops. When it became obvious that the position was completely outflanked and there was no prospect of reinforcement, the German troops pulled back. The German forces were evacuated off the ridge with German artillery batteries moved west of the Vimy–Bailleul railway embankment or to the Oppy–Méricourt line. By nightfall of 10 April, the only Canadian objective not yet achieved was the capture of the Pimple.
Attachment 220886
The first two days of the Battle of Arras were a clear tactical success for the British who, advancing five kilometres along both banks of the river Scarpe, took the villages of Thélus, Farbus, Saint-Laurent-Blangy, Feuchy, Athies, Fampoux, Tilloy-les-Mofflaines and Neuville-Vitasse. The securing of Vimy Ridge enabled the British artillery to drive the enemy from the villages of Givenchy-en-Gohelle, Vimy, Willerval and Bailleul-Sire-Bertoult which, up until that time, had been very effective gun batteries. The high-lying village of Monchy-le-Preux, which had been turned into a fortress by the Germans, fell on 11 April after much bitter fighting. The next day Wancourt and Héninel also fell into Allied hands.
This rapid advance forced the Germans to fall back on to their second line of defence but the subsequent arrival of large numbers of reinforcements enabled them to mount vigorous counter-attacks, starting on 14 April, which checked the British advance. Thus, as happened with the previous Allied offensives, the breakthrough of the first day could not be exploited. From then on the Battle of Arras deteriorated into local but nevertheless bloody battles at Arleux (28-29 April), Fresnoy (3-4 May), and Rœux (13-14 May). Meanwhile the British learned of the unfolding disaster on Chemin des Dames Ridge. All hope of a decisive victory was gone.
Attachment 220887
Bullecourt - The Fiasco of 10th April
On the evening of 9th April 1917 Major Watson of the HBMGC (forerunner to the Tank Corps) had proposed a method of attacking Bullecourt using his company of twelve tanks and General Gough (Commanding the Fifth Army) had seized it with enthusiasm. Major Watson may well have been happy to have had his idea accepted so easily but he was now saddled with the task of putting everything into action. He dashed back to his HQ in Behagnies and made out his orders. These were with his tank crews at Mory by 1830 hours and ninety minutes later the twelve machines were on the road towards Bullecourt.
By now the Australians had detailed off the 4th and 12th Brigades of 4th Division to carry out the attack. On the right of a road running north from their positions on the Boisleux-Marquion railway embankment the 4th Brigade would advance with all four battalions. The 16th and 14th would take the Hindenburg Line and then the 13th and 15th would continue on to Riencourt. On the left of this Central Road the 12th Brigade would attack with just two battalions, their task being for the 46th to take the German front line and the 48th to pass through and take the second before securing the left flank for the 4th Brigade advancing on Riencourt. In preparation for the original pre-tank plans the 4th Brigade had discovered by patrolling that there was a sunken road leading from Bullecourt towards Quéant which was; up until they moved in, unoccupied. This brought them 350 metres closer to the Germans, but there remained at least that again to go and much of it filled with swathes of barbed wire. The 12th Brigade had been required to dig assembly trenches and as night fell patrols were sent out to check the wire. In front of Bullecourt it was not only uncut but very dense,
The patrols from 4th Brigade were led by Captain Bert Jacka VC MC (In fact the first Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross in the war). He led his party right into the wire and found that although in places it was destroyed, in other places it remained woefully intact. If General Gough was hoping to find the Hindenburg Line deserted he was going to be disappointed, for there was plenty of evidence of machine guns, working parties and German patrols. By late evening as the Australians were bringing forward their men from the villages behind the lines, news was coming in from Third Army (the driving force behind the Battle of Arras) that things had not gone quite as well as had at first been thought. In particular in the sector immediately adjacent to the Fifth Army. Was it necessary, Lt General Birdwood asked at 2300 hours, for the planned attack to take place. If the Hindenburg Line to their left had not been breached, and with its evident strength in front, would it not be wiser to wait, rather than rush in. The plan goes ahead, was the reply, both then, and again forty five minutes later when a second protest was made to Gough’s Staff Officer. Thus at 0025 hours on 10th April 1917, 4th Division received its orders – the attack would take place at 0430 hours. By then the tanks would be lined up in front of the infantry. The bombardment of the German positions would continue as normal until that time, when a heavy barrage would be put down on the flanks of the re-entrant allowing the tanks to advance.
Once the tanks had occupied the German front line they would signal the infantry to advance.It can be seen that there was a misconception here as to what tanks can and cannot do. In fact whilst a tank can take ground, it cannot actually hold it, because it becomes vulnerable. It would be vividly shown at Cambrai in November 1917 that tanks and infantry needed to cooperate to obtain the best results. At 0100 hours the German defences were subjected to a gas attack fired from Livens projectors a recent invention which hurled a gas cylinder into the enemy lines whereupon it exploded. The night turned bleak. It was bitterly cold with a wind that cut through the men lying out in the snow since 0230 hours, waiting on the tanks. Of the machines there was no sound at all.
Attachment 220899
As Zero hour approached, nothing. Then finally as dawn began to rise the tanks could be heard near Noreuil; an hour away for the cumbersome beasts.
The crews had been advancing through the snow as best as they could but it had been impossible to see where they were going. Now they were there they were exhausted. The sun was about to rise and if the infantry remained where they were, the Germans would within the next few minutes find six battalions lying out in the open ground.
At 0500 hours the message went out: The stunt is off. Disposition as yesterday. Move. As the frozen Australians made their way back to their lines they were concealed from view by the snow. A weak German barrage caused a few casualties amongst the 48th Bn including its Second in Command, Major Ben Leane the brother of its commander. He is buried in Quéant Road Cemetery. The reason that the Germans had commenced the bombardment was because in a mix up over the exact meaning of the numerous orders, the British 62nd Division, on the west of Bullecourt, believing that the Australians had in fact attacked as planned, sent out strong detachments from the 2/7th and 2/8th West Yorkshire Regiment in accordance with the initial instructions for the taking of Bullecourt.
Some managed to get into the German lines but they were on their own. Casualties were heavy and once it was realised that they would have to retire, some units had penetrated beyond recall and were killed or captured. Needless to say, the staff of the 62nd Division were not happy with the lack of communication from the Australians who should have informed them immediately that their own attack looked doubtful, as opposed to half an hour later when they called it off. Lt General Birdwood breathed a sigh of relief however. He had been concerned about the haste of the operation all along. But Gough was not to be put off. They would do it all again 24 hours later, and once again Birdwood would let things happen rather than make a sufficiently forceful protest.
Attachment 220889
There were a further three VCs awarded on this day
Attachment 220890
John Woods Whittle, VC, DCM (3 August 1882 – 2 March 1946) was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest decoration for gallantry "in the face of the enemy" that can be awarded to members of the British and British Commonwealth armed forces. Whittle was serving as a sergeant in the First World War when he was decorated with the Victoria Cross following two separate actions against German forces during their retreat to the Hindenburg Line in 1917. In the latter action, he attacked a machine gun crew, killing the group and seizing the gun.
Born in Tasmania, Whittle completed twelve months active service during the Second Boer War, before returning to Australia and enlisting in the Royal Navy where he served for five years as a stoker. Re-enlisting in the army, he was posted to the Army Service Corps, artillery, and Tasmanian Rifle Regiment prior to the outbreak of the First World War. Transferring to the Australian Imperial Force in 1915, Whittle joined the 12th Battalion in Egypt and embarked for the Western Front the following year. During an attack on the village of La Barque, Whittle rushed a German trench and forced the men from the position; he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal as a result. Wounded three times during the war, Whittle was the subject of two courts-martial due to his unruly behaviour. In October 1918, he returned to Australia at the invitation of the Prime Minister of Australia to assist in recruitment. Discharged from the military in December 1918, he later moved to Sydney. In 1934, Whittle was presented with a Certificate of Merit after saving a drowning boy. He died in 1946 at the age of 63.
Attachment 220891
By early April 1917, three German-held outpost villages remained between the area to the south of the I Anzac Corps position and the Hindenburg Line.[12] An attack to capture the villages of Boursies, Demicourt and Hermies by the 1st Australian Division was formulated to commence on 9 April, the day the British offensive opened at Arras.[13] For his gallantry in two separate actions during this engagement, Whittle was awarded the Victoria Cross. On 8 April, the 12th Battalion was tasked with the capture of the village of Boursies.[12] The attack was to act as a feint in order to mislead the German forces on the direction from which Hermies was to be assaulted. Whittle had been placed in command of the left platoon in Newland's A Company for the attack, which commenced at 03:00. Advancing, the company was subjected to heavy machine gun fire from a derelict mill approximately 400 metres (440 yd) short of the village and began to suffer heavy casualties. Gathering a party of men, Newland led a bombing attack which was able to dislodge the Germans from the position and secure the area. Continuing their advance, the company was able to reach its objectives,[13] where Whittle was placed in command of a post just beyond the mill.[4]
Throughout the day, the Australians came under heavy shellfire from the Germans. At 22:00,the German forces launched a severe counter-attack against the mill under the cover of an intense barrage of artillery and bombs. Advancing down the main road, they managed to enter the trench Whittle was holding. Gathering all available men, Whittle charged the Germans and was able to re stabilise the position. Newland arrived soon after, and the two men worked together until the position was re-established. The 12th Battalion was relieved on 10 April by the 11th Battalion, having succeeded in capturing Boursies at the cost of 240 casualties, of which 70 were killed or missing. Following a four-day reprieve away from the frontline, the 12th Battalion relieved the 9th Battalion at Lagnicourt on 14 April. Around dawn the following day, the Germans launched a fierce counter-attack against the 1st Australian Division's line. Breaking through the Australian line, the Germans forced back the 12th Battalion's D Company, which was to the left of Newland's A Company. Soon surrounded and under attack on three sides, Newland withdrew the company to a sunken road which had been held by Captain Percy Cherry during the capture of the village three weeks earlier, and lined the depleted company out in a defensive position on both banks. Establishing his platoon in position, Whittle noticed a group of Germans moving a machine gun into position to enfilade the road. As the gunners began to set up the weapon, Whittle, under heavy rifle fire, jumped from the road and single-handedly rushed the crew. Using his bombs, he succeeded in killing the entire group before collecting the gun and taking it back to A Company's position. As reinforcements from the 9th Battalion began to arrive, Newland was able to repulse a third attack by the Germans. Reorganising the 9th and 12th Battalions, a combined counter-attack was able to be launched and the line recaptured by approximately 11:00. The 12th Battalion had suffered 125 casualties during the engagement, with 66 killed or missing. Whittle and Newland were both subsequently awarded a Victoria Cross for their actions that day; the pair were the only two permanent members of the Australian military to receive the decoration during the war.
John George Pattison VC (8 September 1875 – 3 June 1917) was a Canadian soldier. Pattison was a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. Pattison was born in London, England and emigrated to Canada.
Attachment 220892
One of four soldiers to earn the Victoria Cross at the Battle of Vimy Ridge, (the others were Thain Wendell MacDowell, Ellis Wellwood Sifton and William Johnstone Milne), Pattison was 41 years old, and a private in the 50th (Calgary) Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC. On 10 April 1917 at the Battle of Vimy Ridge when the advance of Canadian troops was held up by an enemy machine-gun which was inflicting severe casualties, Private Pattison, with utter disregard of his own safety, sprang forward and jumping from shell-hole to shell-hole, reached cover within thirty yards of the enemy gun. From this point, in the face of heavy fire he hurled bombs killing and wounding some of the crew, and then rushed forward overcoming and bayoneting the surviving five gunners. His initiative and valour undoubtedly saved the situation. He was killed in action at Lens, France, on 3 June 1917. He is buried at La Chaudière Military Cemetery, France located 7 miles north of Arras (plot IV, row C, grave 14). A mountain in the Victoria Cross Ranges in Jasper National Park, Alberta is named in his honour.
Horace Waller VC (23 September 1896 – 10 April 1917) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for "gallantry in the face of the enemy" awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. Waller was born to John Edward and Esther Waller, of Dewsbury, Yorkshire.
As a 20-year-old private in the 10th Service Battalion, The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, British Army during the First World War, Waller was awarded a Victoria Cross for his valiant actions on 10 April 1917 south of Heninel, France. During the day, Waller continued for more than an hour to throw bombs and held off enemy attack. In the evening the enemy again counter-attacked and eventually killed Waller.
Attachment 220893
For most conspicuous bravery when with a bombing section forming a block in the enemy line. A very violent counter-attack was made by the enemy on this post, and although five of the garrison were killed, Pte. Waller continued for more than an hour to throw bombs, and finally repulsed the attack. In the evening the enemy again counter-attacked the post and all the garrison became casualties, except Pte. Waller, who, although wounded later, continued to throw bombs for another half an hour until he was killed. Throughout these attacks he showed the utmost valour, and it was due to his determination that the attacks on this important post were repulsed.
Air War
Western Front: Royal Flying Corps No 60 Squadron single-seater Nieuport fighters first sent on photo-reconnaissance mission.
Neutrals
Argentina: Government approves US action, decides on benevolent neutrality towards her (April 11).
Politics
Austria: Emperor Charles and Czernin letter to Kaiser Wilhelm II, ‘Five monarchs have been dethroned in this war …’ warns of Russian Revolution impact.
Home Fronts
Germany: Berlin Lokal Anzeiger‘s corpse conversion factory story (first appears in Belgian newspaper) becomes war’s most notorious atrocity story (not exposed till 1925). Balfour writes on April 26 that it might be true. See below...
Occupied Territories
Poland: Austria transfers Polish Legions to German control.
The War at Sea
Attachment 220894
HMHS Salta (Master Benjamin Thomas Eastaway) is mined and sunk ½ mile north of Whistle Buoy, Le Havre while on a voyage from Southampton for Le Havre with medical stores. During the morning a French patrol craft has found mines drifting in the Le Havre approaches and all vessels entering the port are to be warned. The mines have been laid the previous day by the German mine-laying submarine UC26. At 11:20 Salta approaches the port entrance and stops her engines. A patrol craft instructs the Salta convoy to follow it towards the English drifter Diamond which checks the identity of each ship before opening the barrage allowing entry into the port. Satisfied, the drifter gives its green light and Salta is authorized to continue.
While following the buoyed channel into Le Havre, Salta’s Captain gives orders to alter course to the north. The commander of the Diamond relays a frantic message that Salta is now approaching the zone where mines have been seen that morning. One of the Salta’s surviving officers’ reports that Eastaway is concerned about entering Le Havre without a pilot because of the bad weather and had wanted to let the other ships pass. Realizing that they are in grave danger, Eastaway tries to re-trace his course back to the buoyed channel. In poor weather conditions, Salta drifts across the mined zone and hits a mine at 11:43. An enormous explosion breaches the hull near the engine room and hold number three, water engulfs the disabled ship, which lists to starboard and sinks in less than 10 minutes. His Majesty’s Ship Druid proceeds to render assistance and gets alongside a swamped boat of the Salta. All the occupants of the boat are rescued except a Hospital Sister and Private Samuel Bodsworth (RAMC). The former is so exhausted that she is unable to hold the ropes thrown to her, and eventually becomes unconscious. Although he might have been rescued, Private Bodsworth persists in remaining in the boat with the Sister, and, after she has fallen overboard and been hauled back again, he finally succeeds in placing a line around her body, by means of which she is hauled on board the Druid. For his efforts he will be awarded the Albert Medal. Despite help arriving rapidly, the state of the sea and the strong winds hamper the rescue operation and the human cost is appalling. Of 205 passengers and crew, 9 nurses, 42 wounded and 79 crew members perish along with the Master.
The sinking of the Salta has another victim. The English patrol craft P-26 is involved in the rescue operations and hits another mine, the ship is split in two and sinks taking 19 of her crew with her.
In total 2038 British lives were lost on this day in 1917
Today’s highlighted casualties include:
Major Benjamin Bennett Leane (Australian Infantry) is killed in action at age 27 at Bullecourt. He is the brother of Brigadier General Leane and has a brother who was killed in January 1917.
Captain Douglas William Arthur Nicholls MC (Suffolk Regiment) is killed. He is the son of the Reverend Francis Hamilton Nicholls Vicar of St Mary’s Ipswich.
Captain Charles Edward Stewart MC (Durham Light Infantry) is killed in action at age 29. He is a Writer to the Signet in Edinbrugh and his brother was killed in September 1916.
Lieutenant John Hatchell Halliday Christie (British Columbia Regiment) is killed in action at age 25. He is the son of the Reverend William John Christie.
Lieutenant William Bell (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) is killed in action. His brother died of wounds in April 1915.
Lieutenant John Alexander Williamson (Royal Flying Corps) is killed at home at age 20. His brother was killed when HMS Bulwak exploded.
Lieutenant Benjamin Bell Gray (British Columbia Regiment) is killed at age 29. He is the son of the late Reverend William Alexander Gray.
Second Lieutenant George Godfrey Gray (Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry) is killed at age 22. His brother was killed last October.
Lieutenant Joseph Emmett Stauffer (Alberta Regiment) is killed in action at age 43. He is a teacher and politician from Alberta. Stauffer was elected to the Alberta Legislature in the 1909. In that election he defeated incumbent Cornelius Hiebert in a landslide in the new Didsbury He was re-elected to a second term in office in the 1913 Alberta legislature, winning with a comfortable but reduced plurality. Stauffer enlisted in the Canadian Forces and served overseas with the Canadian Infantry He kept his seat in the provincial legislature while he was overseas fighting in the war. Lieutenant Governor Robert Brett honored Stauffer’s memory and military service by making special note in the Throne Speech at the opening of the 4th Alberta Legislative Assembly on 7th February 1918. The small town of Stauffer, Alberta is named in his honor.
Company Sergeant Major William Henry Littlejohn (Middlesex Regiment) is killed in action at age 26. He was a Civil Servant at the Exchequer and Audit Department and one of the Great War Poets.
Attachment 220895
The Hospital Ship
There is a green-lit hospital ship,
Green, with a crimson cross,
Lazily swaying there in the bay,
Lazily bearing my friend away,
Leaving me dull-sensed loss.
Green-lit, red-lit hospital ship,
Numb is my heart, but you carelessly dip
There in the drift of the bay.
There is a green-lit hospital ship,
Dim as the distance grows,
Speedily steaming out of the bay,
Speedily bearing my friend away
Into the orange-rose.
Green-lit, red-lit hospital ship,
Dim are my eyes, but you heedlessly slip
Out of their sight from the bay.
There was a green-lit hospital ship,
Green, with a blood-red cross,
Lazily swaying there in the bay,
But it went out with the light of the day –
Out where the white seas toss.
Green-lit, red-lit hospital ship,
Cold are my hands and trembling my lip:
Did you make home from the bay?
Second Lieutenant Arthur James “Hamish” Mann (Black Watch) dies of wounds received the previous day at Arras at age 21. Three days before his death he wrote the following poem:
Some lie in graves beside the crowded dead
In village churchyards; others shell holes keep
Their bodies gaping, all their splendour sped.
Peace, O my soul…A Mother’s part to weep.
Day. Do they watch with keen all-seeing eyes
My own endeavours in the whirling hell?
Ah, God! How great, how grand the sacrifice
Ah, God! The manhood of yon men who fell.
And this is war…Blood and woman’s tears
Brave memories adorn the quaking years
There was just the one aerial victory claim on this day (and its another Bristol pilot...)
Captain David Mary Tidmarsh 48 Squadron RFC
Attachment 220896
With the 4th Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment, David Mary Tidmarsh was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant (on probation) on 23 April 1915. He received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 1833 on a Maurice Farman biplane at Military School, Ruislip on 7 October 1915. He transferred to the Royal Flying Corps on 13 January 1916 and was posted to 24 Squadron under Lanoe Hawker. On 21 April 1916, he narrowly escaped death when an unexploded anti-aircraft shell passed through the cockpit of his D.H.2. With the formation of 48 Squadron in 1917, Tidmarsh became a flight commander in the first squadron to fly the Bristol Fighter in combat. On 11 April 1917, after downing two Albatros D.III aircraft, Tidmarsh was captured when he was shot down by Kurt Wolff of Jasta 11. He was repatriated on 30 December 1918.
Attachment 220897
6 AIRMEN HAVE FALLEN ON TUESDAY APRIL 10TH 1917
AM 2nd Class Cole, H. (Harry) 12th Balloon Company, Headquarters RFC
2nd Lieutenant Howells, H. (Hugh) RFC
Captain Lukyn, S.E. (Stanley Edward) RFC
2nd Lieutenant Myburgh, J.A. (John Adrian) 55 Squadron RFC
Corporal Ryder, C.N. (Clifford Newton) 4 Squadron Australian Flying Corps
Lieutenant Williamson, J.A. (John Alexander) RFC
Attachment 220898
The German Corpse Factory
Rumours that the Germans used the bodies of their soldiers to create fat appear to have been circulating by 1915. Cynthia Asquith noted in her diary on 16 June 1915: “We discussed the rumour that the Germans utilise even their corpses by converting them into glycerine with the by-product of soap.” Such stories also appeared in the American press in 1915 and 1916. The French press also took it up in Le Gaulois, in February, 1916. In 1916 a book of cartoons by Louis Raemaekers was published. One depicted bodies of German soldiers being loaded onto a cart in neatly packaged batches. This was accompanied with a comment written by Horace Vachell: “I am told by an eminent chemist that six pounds of glycerine can be extracted from the corpse of a fairly well nourished Hun... These unfortunates, when alive, were driven ruthlessly to inevitable slaughter. They are sent as ruthlessly to the blast furnaces. One million dead men are resolved into six million pounds of glycerine." A later cartoon by Bruce Bairnsfather also referred to the rumour, depicting a German munitions worker looking at a can of glycerine and saying "Alas! My poor Brother!". By 1917 the British and their allies were hoping to bring China into the war against Germany. On 26 February 1917 the English-language North-China Daily News published a story that the Chinese President Feng Guozhang had been horrified by Admiral Paul von Hintze's attempts to impress him when the "Admiral triumphantly stated that they were extracting glycerine out of dead soldiers!". The story was picked up by other papers. In all these cases the story was told as rumour, or as something heard from people supposed to be in the know. It was not presented as documented fact.
The first English language accounts of a real and locatable Kadaververwertungsanstalt appeared in the 17 April 1917 editions of The Times and The Daily Mail (both owned by Lord Northcliffe at the time), The Times running it under the title Germans and their Dead.The editorial introduction said that it came from the Belgian newspaper l'Indépendance Belge published in England, which in turn had received it from La Belgique, another Belgian newspaper published in Leyden, The Netherlands, and that it had originally appeared in the 10 April 1917 edition of the German newspaper Berliner Lokal-Anzeiger. The original German newspaper story was presented as proof that the Germans were indeed rendering the bodies of their soldiers. It made no reference to the corpses being human, however the Belgian newspaper did. The German newspaper account was a very brief story by reporter Karl Rosner of only 59 words in length, which described the bad smell coming from a "kadaver" rendering factory. The Belgian account had been extended to over 500 words, and interpreted the word "kadaver" as a reference to human corpses. The story described how corpses arrived by rail at the factory, which was placed "deep in forest country" and surrounded by an electrified fence, and how they were rendered for their fats which were then further processed into stearin (a form of tallow). It went on to claim that this was then used to make soap, or refined into an oil "of yellowish brown colour". The supposedly incriminating passage in the original German article was translated in the following words:
We pass through Evergnicourt. There is a dull smell in the air, as if lime were being burnt. We are passing the great Corpse Utilization Establishment (Kadaververwertungsanstalt) of this Army Group. The fat that is won here is turned into lubricating oils, and everything else is ground down in the bones mill into a powder, which is used for mixing with pigs' food and as manure.
A debate followed in the pages of The Times and other papers. The Times stated that it had received a number of letters "questioning the translation of the German word Kadaver, and suggesting that it is not used of human bodies. As to this, the best authorities are agreed that it is also used of the bodies of animals." Letters were also received confirming the story from Belgian and Dutch sources and later from Romania. The New York Times reported on 20 April that the article was being credited by all the French newspapers with the exception of the Paris-Midi, which preferred to believe that the corpses in question were those of animals rather than humans. The Times itself did not credit the story, pointing out that it appeared in early April and that German newspapers traditionally indulged in April Fools' Day pranks, and also that the expression "Kadaver" was not employed in current German usage to mean a human corpse, the word "Leichnam" being used instead. The only exception was corpses used for dissection—cadavers.
On 25 April the weekly British humorous magazine Punch printed a cartoon entitled "Cannon-Fodder—and After," which showed the Kaiser and a German recruit. Pointing out a window at a factory with smoking chimneys and the sign "Kadaververwertungs[anstalt]," the Kaiser tells the young man: "And don't forget that your Kaiser will find a use for you—alive or dead." (see above) On 30 April the story was raised in the House of Commons, and the government declined to endorse it. Lord Robert Cecil declared that he had no information beyond newspaper reports. He added that, "in view of other actions by German military authorities, there is nothing incredible in the present charge against them." However, the government, he said, had neither the responsibility nor the resources to investigate the allegations. In the months that followed, the account of the Kadaververwertungsanstalt circulated worldwide, but never expanded beyond the account printed in The Times; no eyewitnesses ever appeared, and the story was never enlarged or amplified.
Some individuals within the government nonetheless hoped to exploit the story, and Charles Masterman, director of the War Propaganda Bureau at Wellington House, was asked to prepare a short pamphlet. This was never published, however. Masterman and his mentor, Prime Minister David Lloyd George, never took the story seriously.[citation needed] An undated anonymous pamphlet entitled A 'corpse-conversion' Factory: A Peep Behind the German Lines was published by Darling & Son, probably around this time in 1917. A month later, The Times revived the rumor by publishing a captured German Army order that made reference to a Kadaver factory. It was issued by the VsdOK, which The Times interpreted as Verordnungs-Stelle ("instructions department"). The Frankfurter Zeitung, however, insisted that it stood for Veterinar-Station (veterinary station). The Foreign Office agreed that order could only be referring to "the carcasses of horses."
Modern scholarship supports the view that the story arose from rumours circulating among troops and civilians in Belgium, and was not an invention of the British propaganda machine. It moved from rumour to apparent "fact" after the report in the Berliner Lokal-Anzeiger appeared about a real cadaver-processing factory. The ambiguous wording of the report allowed Belgian and British newspapers to interpret it as proof of the rumours that human corpses were used. Philip Knightley says that Charteris may have concocted the claim that he invented the story in order to impress his audience, not realizing a reporter was present. Randal Marlin says that Charteris's claim to have invented the story is "demonstrably false" in a number of details. However, it is possible that a fake diary was created but never used. Nevertheless, this diary, which Charteris claimed to still exist “in the war museum in London”, has never been found. It is also possible that Charteris suggested that the story would be useful propaganda in China, and that he created a miscaptioned photograph to be sent to the Chinese, but again there is no evidence of this.