The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-09-11
REPORT ON OPERATIONS
BY BRITISH COMMANDER
Sir John French Describes Glorious
Stand Of His Forces Before
Germans.
IN DANGER or HUMILIATION
Serious Losses Inevitable When
Forces Few Days After Concen-
tration Are Called Upon to With
stand Attack of Five Army Corps.


the british forces in France. 20 Earl
Kitchener, the Secretary OF War, on
the British operations was made pub
lie to-day. 1t follows. IN pa,t:
''Th" transportation of the troops
from England by rail ana was cf-
fcctcd in tho best order, anc without
check. Concentration was practical
~ completed on tho evening of Fri
daI, Angus; II. and was able 10
make dispositions - move the fore.
during Saturday to positions consid-
cred most favorable. The Lac extend
Gel along the line Of the canal from
Condo on the west through Mon sand
Einchc on the cast.
''On sunday. the 23d. reports began
to come III 10 tho effect that The enemy
was commencing an attack on the
Mons line
The right % the thltd division ui-
der General Hamilton was at Mons
which forme" 4 somewhat dangerous
salient. n-t directed the commander
az tho second CORPS II threatened
riout!y. 10 draw bach TIA. cen,r" u
hind Mons 'rhis Was done before
dark.
About 1--WE in the afternoon -
cclved most unexpected message
from General Jofre by telegraph tell
iuG me that least three German
corps were moving o. my position In
front. and that another corps was en-
gagged "a turning movement from
The direction OF Tournai. lie also in
formed me that the two reserve
French divisions ana tho Fifth French
Nriny Corps Oh my light were rc;ir-
Ing"
In consequence. General French con
ttnues. he determined TO retire to a
position which hc had previously re
"cnnoitcrcd extending from MaubeuGc
vest TO Jenlain, southeast OF Nalcn-
,cruo-
There w.s 4 certain amour, az ngst-
iuc along the whole line Of tho right
IT'D" retirement Vas carried ont Yuc-
r"ss'ullt throughout tire 2"h amid
tputiuUcue urhtiug
''fh" fr"uch troops we're sim 70
t'tu- IL. report continues and
uId mo support c;.ccpt from the fort
-"ss - M,rbcuGc. and determined At
'"mptS OF the enemy 20 got around m-
left nank assured me il was his intcn-
ZION - press lnc aSrIrs, that place and
>1rroumI nc. feit no; a moment
lnus, hc la attn retiylnp - ouo,hcr pc.
ton
This operation was ruu o, DANCE
ana oihicu!t% not only owing 10 the
vory superior force in my front. but
he exhaustion OF ny troops. Tie re.
tireIrent RECOMMENDED CARY 10 the
morning Of tho 25th TO 4 position near
IeCAtcau.
Although tho troops had been or
Jared to occupy C,,uhrai. I.cCatcau au,!
Iandecries. ana tia, position ana
GROUND had, during the 18TH been par
hnily prepared and intrenchod. had
grave doubts owing t. Information /
received. owing ,c THO accumulated
strength OF Ia" cUcIny. a.. 20 the wis
dOm OK standing there to flight
Moreover. tho retirement OF tho
wrench troops ora my right continued.
aud determined 10 mai. a great Of
for' 10 continue the retreat un,u
could put q substantial obstacle such
- tn Scmmc River or tho Disc E!ver
between the british and the enemy.
md nnorl tho former some support
Therefore. tho CORPS COMMANDERS
wcrc ordered - retreat as soon as
possible to general line from -,
quentin 10 Ecbout"
General Irouch th.n describes The
Uurch through ~ tina, day and until
late iu tn. evening. during which tim.
hc Wa' iuccsSantly harasseG by III.
cucmy. who continued tho n,tacl. late
t uisht on th' exhausted british. Tie
continues.
General sordot, commanding three
French cavalry divisions. whom had
called IL my assistance. though he
20 AFFORD any supper; on tho mos;
ethical day, tho 26th, owing to the
cNhnUstiou of his horses
NJ dayhrcall the 2Gth il became APP
parent that the emmy waa throviu-
rh" bunS OF lis strength against the
Lett Of our positions. and the guns %
four German army CORPS being in posi-
Won against it. General smith porri.n
ordered. In tho face OF such an
attack Il was Impossible Tor me 10 sup.
port General porricu. Is the first corps
81 t!c moucnt VAS iuctpabl" OF NOV
iNC. There had hcru 40 time TO in
trench properly, nut tho troops showed
magnificent front to tho terrible hrs.
The artillery although outmatchcI by
~ least four 10 ono, made - splendid
flight, ana inflicted heavy losses
~ Length it became apparent tia,
if complete anrihilntion va! 30 hc
avoided, retirement must lac attempt
Cd and the order was given to com
mence 1T about $50 in the afternoon.
The movement WAS covered with most
devoted intrcpidity and dctctiniuatio,
, ny the artillery. which has itself SUI
| fcrcd heavily ANA the nnc work done
hy tho cavalry in the further retreat
frouI tho position assisted nat.riallv
the final compilation OF this most dif-
! fic'ilt and dangerous operation
~ cannot close this brief account OF
this glorious stand of the British with
j out according deep appreciat ton to the
valuable services Of General Smi;': Dor
ricn. The saving Of the left wing Of
the whole army would have been i'm
possible unless commander of rnro
and unusual GOODNESS and determine
ton haG been present to pcrsonallv
conduct ;hc operation
The retreat was continued far into
he night Of the 2Gth and Throughout.
. the two following days when the troops
halted on the limo Of NOyon, Chauny
and la Fcrc. having thrown off The
weight OF tho enemy's pursuit During
these two days was indebted To Gen
eral Sordcts cavalry division fer as.
sistancc In repellinS the enemy. Gen
eral p'Amadc. also from the neigh
bnrhood OF .irras. relieved the pres
! sure on the British rear from the enc
| my's right flank.
| SERIOUS LOSSES
DEEPLY DEPLORE:D
II deeply dcplorc the very serious
losses OF tho British forces. but they
We're inevitable in view Of the fact
that tho British arny--onIy y few
AVS after concentrate by rail.
: was called upon to withstand the Wig
orous attack Of five German army
corps.
81 wish particularly 20 bring to
l YOUR iordship's notice tho admirable
work done by tho Royal FLYING Corps
under Sir David Henderson. Their
skin. energy and perseverance has been
L.