The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Angus venues to display poignant war painting
Depiction by Scots war artist will commemorate the 100th anniversary
A painting by celebrated Scots war artist Robert Gibb which has been languishing in storage at Angus Council is set to go on display to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the final German offensive of the First World War.
The German Spring Offensive, as it became known, was a series of attacks along the Western Front during the First World War, beginning on March 21 1918, which marked the deepest advances by either side since 1914.
Realising that their only remaining chance of victory was to defeat the Allies before the overwhelming resources of the United States, who had entered the war the year before, could be fully deployed, the Germans launched four major offensives in a bid to break the Allied lines and outflank the British forces.
The painting, Backs to the Wall, was inspired by Sir Douglas Haig’s famous Special Order of the Day, which was sent out to all ranks of the British Army in France and Flanders in April 1918.
Angus Provost and Kirriemuir Conservative councillor Ronnie Proctor, a former major in the Black Watch, said: “Today, we know that in April 1918, the war would have just months to run but, at the time, the outcome was far from certain.
“We should not underestimate just how desperate the situation was, or how successful the German Spring Offensive was in the initial stages.
“America had entered the war, but their manpower had not yet reached the Western Front in sufficient numbers and the situation was truly grim.
“This is reflected in Haig’s order which commanded the men to fight to the end, with no thought of retreat.”
Haig, who was commander-in-chief of the British armies in France, issued the blunt order three weeks into the attack on Tuesday, April 11 1918.
Highlighting the sheer scale of the German offensive, which stretched across a 50-mile front, Haig stated in his communiqué: “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.”
Mr Proctor said: “With the 100th anniversary almost upon us, I think it is entirely fitting that this magnificent painting is brought out of storage and put on public display, and I hope people will take the time to come and see it, when it goes on show in Forfar and Arbroath.”
Dates of the exhibition will be announced later this month.