The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1914-08-27
GERMANS ARE VICTORIOUS
FRENCH AND BRITISH TROOPS
FALL BACK.
Preliminary to Big Battle Gives Ad-
vantage to German Array in
Belgium.


Paris, Aug. 24.-The French wal
office issued the following announce
ment tonight.
THE French and English. their
plan of attack having failed owing
to unforeseen circumstances, have
retired on the covering positions.
West of the Meuse the English
artillery on our left was attacked by
the Germans, but behaved admirably
holding it's ground with traditional
steadfastness.
"The French assumed the offensive
with two army corps. An African
brigade in the front line, carried
away by their eagerness, were re-
ceived by a murderous fire. They
did not give an inch, but counter at
tackled by the Prussian guard; they
were obliged to retire, only. however
after inflicting enormous losses. The
Prussian guard especially suffered
heavily. .
Obliged to Fall Back.
East of the Meuse our troops ad-
vanced across an extremely difficult
country and made vigorous attack
when they emerged from the woods
but were obliged to fall back after a
stiff fight south of the River Semois
"On order of Gen. Joffre ouI
troops and the British troops with
drew to the covering positions. Our
troops are intact, our cavalry has in
no way suffered and our artillery has
affirmed it's superiority. Our officers
and soldiers are in the best of condi-
tion, morally and physically.
"As a result of the orders which
have been issued the aspect of the
struggle will change for few days,
The French army will remain for a
time on the defensive, but at the
right moment, to be decided on by
the commander-in-chief, it will re-
sumo vigorous offensive.
Losses Heavy.
"Our losses are heavy; it would be
premature to enumerate them. 1t
would be equally to to enumerate
- of hn
suffered so heavily that they were
obliged to abandon their counter
attacks and establish themselves in
fresh positions in Lorraine.
I'VE delivered four attacks yester-
day from our positions north of Macy
inflicting very heavy losses on the
enemy.
"In regard to the general situa-
ton, We have the full use of our rail-
roads and retain command of the
seas. Our operations have enabled
the Russians to come into action and
penetrate the heart of West Prussia
1t is to be regretted that the often
sive operations planned failed to
achieve their purpose as a result OF
difficulties impossible to foresee. It
would have shortened the war, but
our defences remain intact in the
presence of an already weakened enc
my.
Every Frenchman will deplore
the temporary abandonment of por-
tions of Alsace and Lorraine which
We had occupied, and certain parts
of the national territory will suffer
from events OF which they will be
the theatre.
THE ordeal is inevitable, but tenn
porary. Thus detachments of Ger
man cavalry belonging to an unat-
tached division operating on the ex-
treme right. have penetrated to Rou-
bad (six miles north Of Lille) and
the Tourcoing district. which are de-
Tended only by territorial reservists
Our valiant people will know
how to find courage to support this
trial. with unfailing faith in final
success, which is not to be doubted
In telling to the country the whole
truth, the government and military
authorities give it the strongest
proof of their absolute confidence in
victory, which depends only on our
perseverance and tenacity."
ANNUAL COST OF WAR.