The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-09-10
FIELD MARSHAL TELLS OF ENGLISH
 AID TO FRENCH
(continued from Page A

! OThe, enemy, however, would not a1- low them this rest and about 9:3o that evening the report was received that the 4th guards brigade in Landreceis 9th German army corps who were coming through the forest to the north of the town. This brigade fought most gallantly and caused the enemy to suffer a tremendous loss in issuing from the forest into the narrow streets of the town.
 This loss has been estimated from reliable sources at between 700 and LOGO
 ..At the same time information reached me from Sir Douglas IIaig that his first division was also heavily engaged south and east of Marilles. sent urgent messages to the com mander of the two French reserve di- visions on my right to come up to the assistance of the first corps which they eventually did. Partly owing to this assistance but mainly to the skill full manner in which Sir Douglas Haig extricated his corps from excep- tionally difficult position in the dark ness of night, they were able at dawn to resume their march towards Was signy and Guise.
 By about 6 in the afternoon the second corps had got into position with their right on Le Cateau and their left in the netghborhood of Cau- dry and the line Of defense was con tinued thence by the 4th division to- ward Seranvillers.
 During the fighting on the 24th and 18th the cavalry became a good deal scattered but by early morning of the 26th General A11enby had succeeded in concentrating two brigades to the south of Cambrai. The 4th division was placed under the orders of the 4Ia army corps.
 s.On the 24th the French cavalry corps, consisting of three divisions un- der General Sordet, had been in biHets north of Avesnes.
 sAt daybreak it 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 4th division. At this time the guns of four German army corps were ;a position against them and Sir Hor- ace Smith reported to me that he Judged 1t impossible to continue his retirement at daybreak as ordered, in the face of such an attack
 f1 sent him orders to use his utmost endeavors to break off the action and retire at the earliest possible moment as 1t was impossible for me to send him support, the first corps being at the moment incapable of movement. The French cavalry corps under Gen. eraI Sordet was coming up on our left rear early in the morning, andsI sent him an urgent message to do his ut most to come up and support the re- tirement of my left flank. but owing to the fatigue of his horses he found himself unable to intervent in any way. sls
 There had been no time to entrench the position properly but, the troops f 70 I9a feTs- rible fire which confronted them. The artillery, although outmatched by at least four to one, made a splendid fight and inflicted heavy losses on their opponents.
 "Af length, it became apparent that if complete annihilation was to be avoided retirement must be attempted and the order was given to commence it about 30 in the afternoon
 1.-The movement was covered with most devoted intrepidity and forma- ton by the artillery which had itself suffered heavily and the fine work done by the cavalry in the further re- treat from the position assisted ma terfally to the final completion of this movement proved difficult and danger ous. Fortunately, the enemy had him self suffered too heavily to engage in an energetic pursuit"
 The report pays a. high tribute to the vaIor of the British troops and to Sir Horace Srnith-Dorrien, for his val uafbIe services'' in saving the left wing of General French's commend on the morning of the 18th. The details of the retreat close with August 28-
 In concluding, General French de- plores the very serious losses which the British forces suffered 1n this great battle but they were inevitable in view of the fact that the British army-on1y a few days after the con centration by rail-was called upon to withstand the vigorous attack of five German army corps
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