THE WAR

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 60, 8 September 1914, Page 3

THE WAR

SUMMARY OF CAMPAIGN WAR OFFICE STATEMENT A consecutive summary of the fighting in France during last week was received last night by the Prima Minister from the High Commissioner. It was dated at London, 6th September, 8.40 p.m. : — The War Office issues the following statement of the operations of the British during last week:' — No new main trial of strength has taken place. There have been battles in many parts along an immense front, which in other wars would have been considered operations of first ( magnitude, but in this war they are merely mci- | dents of strategic wthdrawal. and con- j tractions of the Allied forces necessitated by the initial shock on the frontier, and by the enormous strength which the Germans have thrown into the western theatre, while suffering heavily through weakness in the eastern. The British Army has conformed to the general movement of the French forces, and has acted in harmony with the strategic conception of the French General Staff, since the battle of Cambrai. on 26th Augustj where the British successfully guarded the left flank of the whole line of the French Army from a deadly turning attack supported by an enormous force. The Seventh French Army has come into operation on our left. This, in conjunction with the Fifth Army on our right, has greatly taken the strain and pressure off our men. The Fifth French Army in particular, on 29th August, advanced from the line of the Oise River to meet and counter a German forward movement, and a considerable battle developed to the south of Oise. In this the Fifth French Army gained a marked success, driving back with heavy loss and disorder three German Army Corps, the Tenth, the Guards, and the Eeserve Corps. It is believed that the commander of the Tenth German Corps was killed. In spite of this success, the general retirement to the south was continued, and the German Armies, seeking persistently after the British troops, remained in practically continuous contact with our rearguards. On the 30th and 31st August the British were engaged in covering and delaying the German troops, and were frequently engaged. On Ist September a. vigorous effort was made by the Germans, and this brought about a sharp action in the vicinity of fiompiegne. This action was fought principally by the First British Cavalry Brigade and the Fourth Guards Brigade^ and was entirely satisfactory to the 'British. The German attack, whir h was strongly pressed, was not brought to a standstill until much slaughter had been inflicted and feu German guns captured. The brunt of this affair fell upou our Guards Brigade, who lost in Villod and wounded three hundred men. After this engagement our troops were no longer molested. Wednesday, 2nd September, was the first quiet day since the battle of Mons on 23rd August. During th© whole of the intervening period the marching and fighting had been continuous. In the whole period the British casualties amounted at latest estimates to about 15,000. A very considerable number of those included in the total will- rejoin the colourg safely. These losses, though heavy, hay© in nowise affected the spirit of the troops, and do not amount to a third of the losses inflicted by the British upon the enemy. Advantage has been taken of the five quiet days since Ist September to fill gaps and refit units. The British are now south of the Mam©, in line witiv' tlit French forces on the right and left Th© enemy are neglecting Paris and marching in a south-easterly direction, towards Marne and towards the left and the centre of the French line. The First German Army are reported between La Ferte-sous-Jouarr-e, Essommes, and Viffort (? Trilport). The Second German Army, after taking R-heims, advanced to Chateau Thierry, and east of that place. The Fourth' German Army is reported to be marching south, on the forest of Argonne, between Suippes and Ville-sur-Tourbe. The Seventh German. Army was repulsed by a French corps near Dionvillo. It appears that the enveloping movement upon the Anglo-French left flank has been abandoned by the Germans, either because it is not practicable to continue such a great extension, or because the alternative of a direct attack on the Allied line is preferred. Whether this change by the Germans is voluntary or enforced by the strategic situation, and the great strength of the Allies in their front, will be revealed by the course of events. Our men. ha,ve established ascendency over ( the Germans. The shooting of the German infantry is poor, while the British rifle fire devastated every column which attacked. The British superior training and intelligence enabled the British to use open formations with effect and to cope with vast numbers of the enemy. The British cavalry hay© definitely established their superiority. General French's report dwells on this marked superiority of the British in every arm of the service over the Germans. Our cavalry, he says, do as they like with the enemy until confronted by thrice their numbers. Th© German patrols fly before our horsemen, and the Germans will not face our infantry fire. Our artillery has never been opposed by less than three or four times their numb ere.