The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1914-09-18
FRENCH Tells HOW STRATEGY
SAVED BRITISH FROM humiliation

Although the troops had been, OF.
dered to occupy the CambralLe.
Observation-Disclosures pc ition and
ground had. during the q 9Th, been par
tally preparing and intre nched, l had
grave doubts-owing to information l
had received AZ to the accommodating
strength Of the enemy against me-
as to the wisdom Of stan ding there to
fight.
Having regard to the continued re-
tirement Of the French right, my ca.
posed left flank, the tendency Of the
enemy'a western corps to envelop me,
and more than all the exhausted con-
dition Of the troops, l determined to
make a great effort to co ntinue the re-
treat till I could put son he substantial
obstacle, such as the Spmme or the
Disc, between my troops and tho me-
my. and afford the former some op-
p~ortunity for rest and n reorganization.
Orders were .therefp ore sent to
the corps commanders to continue
their retreat as soon as they possibly
could toward the general line Of Yer
mand, St. Quentin and Hibemont, and
the cavalry under General Allenby
were ordered to cover the retirement.
Throughout the 25th and far into the
evening the First corps continued to
march on Landrecies, following the
road along the eastern border Of the
forest Of Normal, and arrived at Land
recies about ten O'Clock.
Enemy Allows No Rest.
Il had intended that the corps
should come further west. SO as to fill
up the gap between Lecateau and
Landrecies, but the men were exhaust
ed and could not get further in with
out a rest.
The enemy, however. would not
allow them this rest. and about $50
that evening the report vas received
that the Fourth Guards brigade in
Landrecies val heavily attacked BY
troops Of the Ninth German army
corps, who we're coming through the
forest to the north of the town. This
brigade fought most CALAMITY and
caused the enemy to suffer q ire
mendous loss in issuing from the for
est into the narrow st reefs Of the
town. This loss has been estimated
from reliable sources al between 700
and 1000.
AT the same time information
reached me from Sir Douglas Haig
that his first division was also heavily
engaged south and east of Marbles"
Two French divisions assisted the
First corps to retire in the night OF
the 25th. Second corps took position
between Caudry and Lecateau.
Attacked by Four Corps.
"At daybreak 1t became apparent
that the enemy was throwing the bulk
of his strength against the left OF
the position occupied by the Second
corps and the fourth division. AT this
time the guns of four German army
corps we're in position against them,
and Sir Horace Smith norrten report
ed to me that he judged 1t impossible
to continue his retirement at day
break, as ordered, in the face Of such
an attack.
II sent him orders 10 use his ut
most endeavors to break OF the action
and retire at the earliest possible mo
ment, as It was impossible for me ia
send him support, the First corps be-
ing at the moment incapable Of move
ment.
aThs French cavalry corps under
General Sordet was cpming up on
i left rear early In the morning and
1 sent him an urgent message to dc
his utmost to come UP and support
the retirement Of my left flank, but
owing to the fatigue Of his horses he
found himself unable to intervene Ia
any way.
o~utnurnbered Four TO One.
There had been no time to IN
trench the position pro perly, but thu
troops showed a magnificent front t
the terrible fire which confrontet
them. The artillery, although out
matched BY at least four to one, made
a splendid fight and inflicted heavJ
losses on their opponents.
"At length it became apparent thai
IL complete annihilation was to d
avoided retirement mus be ATTEMPTED
and the order was given to commence
It about $3.50 in the afternoon. tn
movement was covered with most de
voted intrepidity and de determination b!
the artillery, which had itself suffered
heavily. and the fine work done 3!
the cavalry In the further retreat IRON
the position assisted materially tn
anal completion Of this most Difficult
and dangerous operation Fortunate
". the enemy had himself suffered to-
haov,,v "a engage In an energetic pur
suit.
"The retreat was con tinued far Int
~ n,rht Of the 26th and through tn
9th and the 2sth, on which date -
troon. halted on the line from Noyer
| Chauny and LeFere, having the
thrown Of the weight pf the enemy
pursuit.
French Come 40 Rescue.
"On the 9th and the 2sth wa
much indebted to Gene rel Sordet an
~ French cavalry division, which h
commando. for materially assistin
my retirement, and s~uccessfuhy orl'
Ing back some Of the enemy On IAN
brai. General d'Amade also, Wit "a
Sixty-hrst and Sixty-second reserv
divisions, moved down from the neigl
hcrhood of Arras on the enemy's righ
flank and took much pressure On y