§ 71. Mr. R. McNEILLasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether Sir John French's special order of the day, dated 30th September, 1915, in which it was stated, with reference to recent operations, that the commanding position known as Hill 70, in advance of Loos, was finally captured, was inaccurate; and, if so, what steps were taken to remove the false impression created by the mistake of the Commander-in-Chief?
§ Mr. TENNANTSir John French, in the special order of the day referred to, was speaking to his troops and not to the general public, nor to this House. By "Hill 70" he referred to the enemy position known to the troops under that designation. This position was on the western slopes of the topographical feature known as Hill 70, but was not co-extensive with it. The military position known as Hill 70 was captured and is still in our hands, though other works further East on the geographical feature known as Hill 70 are still in possession of the enemy. A communiqué which appeared in the Press during the last few days fully describes the present British position, and I do not think there is anything more to be said on this subject.