The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-11-30
SIR JOHN FRENCH IN
REPORT SPEAKS IN
OPTIMISTIC VEIN OF
POSITION OF ALLIES

ceeded throughout in preventing the en-
envy from establishing anything in the ma
ture of superiority in artillery.
II deeply regret the heavy casualties
we have suffered, but the fighting has
been very desperate and we have been
assailed by vastly superior numbers.
have every reason to know that
throughout the course of the battle we
have placed at least three times as
many of the enemy hors du combat
In dead, wounded and prisoners
throughout these operations Gen
e,ai Foch has strained his resources
to the utmost to afford me all the sup
port he could. An expression OF my
warm gratitude also is due to General
Duhail commanding the eisnth
French armp corps on my left, ana 10
General De Maud Huy, commanding
the tenth army corps on my right.
Withdraw From Aisne
Discussing details of the engage
ment from Ypres to Armenetieres' Ten
Ell al French explains that he was I'M
pressed early in October with the ne
cessity of giving the greatest possinle
support to the northern flank in the
effort to outflank the enemy. He maze
known his view to General Joffre, VINO
agreed with it. The French genera
staff therefore arranged for the WIN
drawal of the British from the Aisne'
which began on october o. anu "ee
completed on October 10.
| The general plan was that the Eng
| Ugh pivot on the French at BetnuHe'
attacking the Germans on their iianh
and forcing their way north. II the oe
| mans were forced out OF their posi-
| ton the French and British were "
march east with Lille as the ulV,crns
| l:ne between the two armies, the I"s
lish right being directed on Lille.
The battle really began OCTOBER H.
when Major General Cough OF the sec
ond British cavalry brigade hrs'
clashed with German cavalry IN tne
woods along the Bethune-Aire cana,
The English cavalry moved lo"aa"
Hazebrouck, clearing the way n LA in
Amy corps, which advanced rapioly ~
a northeasterly direction. For several
DAYS the progress of the British was
oily slightly Interrupted, except d. 10
Bassee, a high position which stup'
bornly resisted.
/ General French says the second corps
i under General Smith Dorrien, was op.
| nnsod nv oyerpowering forces, but
nevertheless advanced until OCTOBER 10
| v.ben the enemys opposition forced
/ reinforcement.
Rawlinson Opposed
ON october 16. Sir Henry Rawlin'
son with two divisions Of Englist
cavalry and two divisions of Frencf
ir fantry. was stationed east OF fpre'
under orders to keep possession OF a.
the ground held by the allies until tn
fist army corps could reach ipies
i General Rawlinson was opposed by su
Il pcrior forces.
with four army corps holding q mucl
1onrer territory than their size justi
Ged. General French says he iaceo
| stubborn situation. The enemy
massed from the Lys and there wa
/ ip,peratiye need for strens ene''e
! lire. z.,,ded T.
nd the first corps north of Ypres I
ston the German reinforcements wn 1s
the shattered Belgian army anu q
worn out French troops had treu
| vain to do. 18th this frs
amy corps, was sent, Octope
cant,,re Bruges and drive tne NJ !,
back toward Client, II phaS them
Eve The Belgians entrencheo '"e"'
n,,,.. along the Ypres canal.
pec.,,se Of the overwhelming nun
~ the Germans opposing thei
FRENCH says he enjoined &c
Ssve role by the three army corr
asted south Of Ypres. Bad roads an
Overwhelming opposition nnally maze
smnossible to carry out the plan OF NOV
ing to Bruges.
The fighting gradually became baye
met charges. General French says ths
October Fl brought forth the hardei
attack, made on the frst corps 9
Ypres and in the checking of which tn