The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-10-19

and took some guns On the 9th, afte, forcing the passage of the Marne. they inflicted a heavy loss in killed and wounded on the Germans, while the second division took some hundreds VI prisoners and battery of eight ma-
 chine guns. On the 10th 13 guns. seven
 machine guns, 2ooo prisoners and quan- titles of transport~ fell into British hands and the enemy left many dead
 on the field.
 The report concludes
 "Although I deeply regret to have to report heavy losses In killed and wounded throughout these operations. I do not tlink they have been excessive in view of the magnitude of the great fight and the demoralization and loss in killed and wounded which are known to have been caused the enemy by the V\Sor ana severity of our pursuit
 The Second Report Field Marshal Frenchs second report, dated October S. concerns the opera lions of the British forces since the evening of September 10.
 Early in the morning of the 11th." says the report, three corps crossed the Ourcq, further pursuit of the enemy be- ing practically unopposed-the cavalry req ching. the line of the Aisne, two bri- gades south of SoisNons and three bri- gades at Couvrelles and Cerseuil on the afternoon of September F.
 Germans Stay Retreat From the opposition encountered by the Sixth French army to the west of Soissons and two of our armyt corps south of Missy, and certain other indi- cations along the line, formed the opin- iex that the enemy had for the moment, at any rate, arrested his retreat and was r;, to the of the Aisne with some vigor south of Sois- sons. where the Germans were holding
 Mont De Paris against attack. With the assistance of artillery the third corps of the French drove them back across the river at Soissons, where they de- stroyed the bridges. Heavy artillery fire showed that the Sisth French army was meeting with heavy opposition all along the line.
 ''On this day the cavalry under Gen. eral Allenby reached the neighborhood of Braine and did good work in clear ing the town and the high ground be- yond it of strong hostile attachments. The Queens Bays are particularly men, toned by the general as havn gassisted greatly in the success of this operation They were well supported by the third division, which. on this night, bivouaced at Brenelle, south of the river. Missy ApprOacneO The fifth division approached Missy hut were unable to make headway. The | The west army corps reached the neigh. borhood of Vaufcere without opposition | In this manner the battle of the Aisns commenced
 1 "The Aisne valley runs generally eas l and west and consists of a nat bot toned depression varying from half t | two miles wide, down which the rivel follows a winding course. To the yves
 is high ground. Both sides of the rive are approximately 400 feet above the val ley, broken into spurs The most prom l inent slopes and plateaus overlooking tn Aisne, of varying steepness, rae covered with patches of wood which extend on t the high ground. Several small village and towns are dotted about chief o | which is So!ssons.
 .'The Aisne is a sluggish stream. TO fee wide and 15 feet deep in the center and unfordable. Between Soissons on the yves | and vilIiers on the east part of the rive attacked and secured by the British force
 are eleven road bridges. One marrow guage and a double line railway ru
 near the river.
 Position of Enemy Strong
 '"The position of the enemy was yer
 strong, either for delaying action or for
 defensive battle One of the chief mi
 hary characteristics is that, except fe
 small stretches on the top of the platea,
 either side cannot be seen owing to tn
 Lwoods on the edges of the slopes. Tn
 tract of country above described Is we
 aoapted for concealment The enemy s
 skillfully turned this to account that