American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1914-10-01
GENERAL FRENCH TELLS STORY
OF BATTLE OF AISNE
Narrative OF the Operations OF the
British Troops Since Beginning
OF Present Engagement.

1AAACA6 NA1 AtM aAlA-
rate accounts OF the great bat
ties that have been in progress for
the past two weeks. The narrative is
a history of operations up to and in
GLIDING September Is.
General headquarters, 18th Sep
TENDER, 1914.-At the date OF the last
narrative, Sept. IA, the Germans were
making a determined resistance along
the river Aisne. Opposition, which it
was at first thought might possibly be
OF a rear guard nature, not entailing
material delay to our progress, has de-
veloped and has proved to be more
serious than was anticipated.
The action now being fought by the
Germans along their line may, it is
true, have been undertaken in order
to gain time for some strategic opera
ton or move, and may not be their
main stand. But if this is so the
fighting is naturally on a scale which
as to the extent of ground covered and
duration of resistance makes it I'M
distinguishable in its progress from
what is known as a pitched battle,
though the enemy certainly showed
signs of considerable Reorganization
during the earlier days of their retire=
ment phase.
Whether it vas originally intended
by them to defend the position they
took up as s~treneuously as they have
done, or whether the delay gained for
them during the 18th and 18th by their
artillery has enabled them to develop
their resistance and force their line to
an extent not originally contemplated,
cannot yet be said.
Not Confined TO Valley.
so far as w are concerned, he
action still being contested is the bat
tie of the Aisne. The foe We are fight
ing is just across that river along the
whole of our front to the east and
west. The struggle is not confined to
the valley of that river, though it will
probably bear its name.
THE progress OF our operations and
the French armies nearest us for the
14th. 18th 10th and 18th, will now be
described.
"On Monday, the 14th, those of our
troops which had on the previous day
crossed the Aisne, after driving in the
German rear guards OF that evening,
found portions of the enemy's forces
in prepared defensive positions on the
right bank and could do little more
than secure a footing north OF the
river. This. however, they maintained
i'm spite of two counter attacks de-
Iivered at dusk and at 10 p. m, in
which the fighting was severe.
During the 14th strong reinforce
nents of troops were passed to the
north bank. the troops crossinng by
ferry, by pontoon bridges and by the
remains Of permanent bridges. Close
cooperation with the French forces
was maintained and the general prog
ress made was good, although the op'
position was vigorous and the state @
the roads after the heavy rain mad
movements slow. One division alone
failed to secure the ground it expect
ed to.
Twelve Cans Captured.
THE first army corps after repuls
ing repeated attacks, captured 90
prisoners and II guns. The cavalrl
also took a number of prisoners. Man
sf the Germans taken belong to tn
reserve and IandweLr formation whicI
fact appear to indicate that tn
enemy is compelled to draw on othe
GLASS; of soldiers to fill the gaps /
her ranks.
There was a heavy rain through
out the night of September l4-l5, an
during he 18th the situation of th
British forcs underwent no essentis
change. But il became more and NOR
EVIDENT that the defensive prepare
O n made by the enemy were MOI
extensive than were at first apparen
I'm order to cou%nterbalance thes
measures were taken by us to ecoI
omize our troops and TO secure pr
lection from the hostile artillery I'll
which was fierce and our men col
timed TO improve their wi entrencl
ments. The Germans bombarded OF
lines nearly all day, using heavy guI
brought, no doubt, from before Ma
beuge.
"All their counter attacks, howeVe
failed. although in some places tn
we're repeated six times. One mat
on the Fourth guard brigade VI
repulsed with heavy slaughter.
AN attempt TO advance slight
made by that part OF our line W
unsuccessful as regards gain OF a
ground but led to the withdrawal
part of the artillery and infantry.