Cheyenne record., 1914-09-24
GEN. FRENCH TELLS HOW GERMAN
ADVANCE ON PARIS WAS CHECKED

troops had turned back since their
attack on Mons fortnight before, and
from reports received the order to
retreat when SO close to Paris was q
bitter disappointment. From letters
found on dead soldiers there is no
doubt there was a general impression
amongst the enemy's troops that they
were about to enter Paris.
Hand-to-Hand Fighting.
ION Tuesday, September 8, the Ger.
man movement northeastward was
continued. Their rear guards on the
south Of the Marne were being
pressed back to that river by our
troops and by the French on our right.
the latter capturing three villages
after hand-to-hand fight and the in.
Fiction of severe loss on the enemy.
The fighting along the Ourcq con-
tinued on this day and was of the most
sanguinary character, for the Ger
mans had massed great force of ar
tillery along this line. Few of their
infantry were seen by the French.
THE French fifth army also made
fierce attack on the Germans in
Montmirail. regaining that place.
"On Wednesday, September 8, tho
battle between the French sixth army
and what was now the German flank
guard along the Ourcq continued.
British Take Up Pursuit.
"The British corps, overcoming
some resistance on the River Petit
NORM, crossed the Marne in pursuit of
the Germans, who now were hastily
retreating northward. One of our
corps was delayed by an obstinate de-
tense made by strong rear guard
with machine guns at La Ferte-Sous.
Jouarre. where the bridge had been
destroyed.
)n Thursday, September 10, the
French sixth army continued its pres.
sure on the west, while the fifth army,
by forced marches, reached the line OF
Chateau Thierry and Dormans on the
Marne. Ouy troops also continued the
pursuit on the north Of the latter river
and after considerable amount OF
fighting captured some 1900 prisoners
four guns, six machine guns and fifty
transport wagons.
Many of the enemy were killed OF
wounded, and the numerous thick
woods which dot the country north ot
the Marne are filled with German
stragglers. Most of them appeared
to have been without food for at least
two days.
Germans Eager to Surrender.
Indeed, in this area of the opera
tions the Germans seemed to be de-
moralized and inclined to surrender in
small parties, and the general situa.
tion appears to be most favorable to
the allies.
Much brutal and senseless damage
has been done in the villages occupied
by the enemy. Property has been wan
tonly destroyed. Pictures in chateaua
have been ripped up and houses gen
orally have been pillaged.
Interesting incidents have occurred
during the fighting. On September
10 part of our Second army corps ad
vanced into the north and found itseli
marching parallel with another in
fantry force at some little distance
away. At first 1t was thought this was
another British unit. After some time
however, 1t was discovered that 1t was
body of Germans retreating.
Germans Caught In Trap.
Measures promptly were taken to
head off the enemy, who were sur
rounded and trapped in sunken road.
where over 400 men surrendered.
ION September 10 small party un.
der a noncommissioned officer was cut
off and surrounded. After desperate
resistance it was decided to go on
fighting to the end. Finally the non.
commissioned officer and one man
only were left, both Of them being
wounded.
"The Germans came up and shouted
to them, Lay down your arms!' The
German commander, however, signed
to them to keep their arms and then
asked permission to shake hands with
the wounded noncommissioned officer,
who was carried off on his stretcher
with his rife by his side.
zone of the features Of the cam
paign on our side has been the success
obtained by the Royal Flying corps.
Praise to British Avfators.
1T Is impossible either to award too
much praise to our aviators for the
way they have carried out their duties
or to overestimate the value of the in
telligence collected, more especially