THE BRITISH OPERATIONS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 13516, 20 October 1914, Page 6

THE BRITISH OPERATIONS.

GENERAL FRENCH'S DESPATCHES

fIGHTING OF GREAT MAGNITUDE.

DEMORALISATION AND LOSS TO

TliE ENEMY

BRITISH ARMY CEASELESSLY

ENGAGED FOR 25 DAYS

(l*cr Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. General French's report on the military operations continues: —

f.'ji September sth and the 6th the French armies were heavily engaged on \ our Hank. The Germans on the river fi'ureq. vigorously opposed the', advance j of the French towards that river. The I'rench threw tho enemy back to the Petit Morin river, after inflicting severe losses, especially about Montceaux, which was carrued at the point of the bayonet. The'enemy retreated before our advance, covered by his second, that is, the 9ii< and Guard ' Cavalry divisions, which suf fered severely.; Our cavalry acted yvitb great vigor, especially General DeLisle's Brigade with the 9th Lancers and the 13th Hussars. September, 6th. — The Second Army Corps encountered considerable oppostion, but drove the oneniy back at all points, with . great loss, making considerable captures. The Third Army Corps drove back considerable bodies of the enemy's infantry, and made captures. September 9th. — The First arid Second Army Corps forded the passage of the Marne. During the day's pursuit tin enemy suffered heavy loss 'm killed and wounded. Some hundreds of prisoners fell into our hands. A battery of eight hiachine {{uns was captured by the Second Division. The fighting m the neighborhood of Montamrail was very severe. Thirteen guns, seven machine jnins, 2000 prisoners and quantities ol transport fell into our hands. The enemy left m&ny dead on the held. Although I deeply regret having to report heavy losses m killed and wounded, I do not think they have been excessive m view of the magnitude of the ,-jreat fieht and demoralisation, and los^ i'n killed and wounded known to have been caused to the enemy by the vigor and severity of the pursuit. From August 23rd to September 17th, from Moris back to the Seine, and from the Seine to the Aisne, the army under my command was ceaselessly engaged without one single day's halt or rest oi any kind. i