Nepal Sirmooree 2025

23 By the end of November 1914, both the French advance into German territory and the German drive through to Paris had failed and both sides had been unable to turn an open northern flank. The lines now stretched from Switzerland to the Channel and what had been envisaged by both sides as a war of rapid movement had developed into a 450-mile-long siege. By March 1915, the French and British High Commands considered the German lines to be weakly held and ripe for a breakthrough. The first major British offensive of the war was at Neuve-Chapelle, a small village held by the Germans since late 1914. Of itself it was of little importance, but it formed a salient into the British Line and blocked the way to the Aubers Ridge, an area of relatively high ground which gave the Germans a great advantage both in terms of shelter from British Artillery and a view of British movement. At 0805 on 10th March 1915, Gurkha soldiers of the Garhwal Brigade surged out of their trenches across no man’s land and, with bayonet and kukri, rushed the German trenches before the Germans could react. Having taken the trenches, the attackers pushed on toNeuve Chapelle village. Other Gurkhas of the Dehra Dun Brigade then surged through. By the 13th March, when the battle ended, the Indian Corps had successfully captured Neuve Chapelle, taken 629 prisoners, pinched out the German salient and advanced three quarters of a mile. The Battle Honour “NEUVE CHAPELLE” was earned by 2nd KEO Gurkha Rifles (The Sirmoor Rifles) and six Gurkha Regiments and was celebrated as a regimental day. The Battle Honour has carried through to today’s successor regiment, The Royal Gurkha Rifles. THE BATTLE OF NEUVE-CHAPELLE - 10 MARCH 1915 (NEUVE CHAPELLE DAY) ACHIEVEMENTS 1 st Battalion: Football Competition Winners: Nepal Cup: • 1957, 1960, 1963, 1967, 1968, 1975,1977, 1978, 1979, 1982, 1983, 1984 & 1987 (Note 2 Hat Tricks)! • British Forces Hong Kong Major Units Knockout - 1976/77 & 1977/78 • British Forces Hong Kong Major Units League - 1981/82 & 1983/84 • British Forces Hong Kong Seven-A-Side - 1977/78, 1978/79, 1981/82 • British Forces Hong Kong Six-A-Side 1987