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

lower ground than those of the enemy
 on a plateau only 400 yards away.
 General Hamilton, with the third di-
 vision attacked vigorously and regained
 the ground lost on the 14th.
 Plans Changed
 ''I was compelled to change my plans
 when learned that further advance of the first corps would have dangerously exposed my right flank, and, further I learned from the French commander in chief that he was strongly reinforcing the sixth French army on my left With the intention of bringing up the allied lleft to attack the enemy's flank and thus compel his retirement.
 "On the 1Tth, 18th and 18th. the whole Of our line was heavily bombarded. The first corps was heavily and constantly engaged. On the afternoon of the 17th the right flank of the first division was tack was ultimately driven back with heavy loss.
 "On the 18th information reached me that General Joffre had found it neces- sary to make a new plan and to at tack and enable the German right flank. It was evident to me that the bat | tie in which we had been engaged since the 12th must last some days longer. un- | til the flank movement could be felt, and
  his positions.
 Losses Considerable | Thus it became essential to establish 1 some system of relief in the trenches and have used the infantry of the sixth oivision with good results for this pur- pose On the evening of the 18th the en- emy again began to show activity. After
 dark the enemy continued his attack on
 the second division only to be again driven back. Our losses In these two days were considerable, but the enemys, as | obtained, vastly exceeded them. l "On the night of the Fist another vio-
 lent counter attack was repulsed by the third division, the enemy losing heavily Or the 23d four six-inch howitzer bat | teries which had asked to be sent from home, arrived. Two batteries were hand ed over to the second corps and two to | the first corps. They were brought into action on the 24th with very good re- suits.
 "Our experiences in this campaign seem to point to the employment of more heavy guns in larger calbre in big bat | ties which last severahdays during which | time powerful entrenching work on both sides can be carried out.
 | "These batteries were used with con- siderable effect on the 24th and follow ing days
 Action Developed i "On the 2Sd the action of General De- Castelnaus army on the allied left de-
 veloped considerably and apparently 1 withdrew considerable forces of the en- | emy from the center and the east. am not aware whether it was due to this l cause or not but until the 26th it ap- peared as though the enemy's opposi' | tion to our point was weakening. or
 that day, however, very marked re- newal of activity commenced. A con l stant and vigorous artillery bombard
 ment was maintained all day and thu 1 Germans in front of the first Adivisior were observed to be sapping up to oul | lines and trying to establish new trenches
 Renewed counter-attacks were deliv cred and beaten off during the course O the day, and in the afternoon wei l timed attack by the First division stopped the enemy's entrenching work.
 During the nights of the 27th and 2Stl
 the enemy again made the most deter mined attempts to capture the trenches of the First division, but without tn
 slightest success. Similar attacks wer reported during those three days all alonl Il the lines of the allied front, and 1t i
 certain that the enemy then made on
 last great effort to establish ascendancy
 He, however. was unsuccessful every where, and is reported to have suffere ! heavy losses.
 ..The same futile attempts were mad , all along our front up to the evening c 7 the 2sth when they died away and hay } not since been renewed.
 Tribute to Artillery "On former occasions I have brough : to your lordships notice the valuabl
 services performed during this campaig , by the royal artillery. Throughout tn , battle of the Aisne they have displaye l the same skill. endurance and tendenc! f 1 and I deeply appreciate the work the - have done.
 .'Sir David Henderson and the roy, Q flying corps under his command hay D again proved their incalculable valu