Evening star., 1914-10-19

II EN ENlNU DlAh, MI
intrenched in echelon to it's right rear.
During the night they intrenched this
position.
Praise for Sir, Douglas Haig.
Throughout the battle of the Aisne
this advanced and commanding posi-
tion was maintained, and 1 cannot
speak too highly of the valuable serv-
ices rendered by Sir Douglas Haig and
the army corps under his command.
Day after day. night after night, the
enemy's infantry mas oeen hurleo
against him in a violent counter at
tack, which has never on any one oc-
casion succeeded, while the trenches
all over his position have been under
continuous and heavy artillery hre-
"The operations of the 1st Corps on
this day resulted in the capture of
several hundred prisoners and some
field pieces and machine guns. The
casualties were very severe, one priS
ade alone losing three of its four col
onels.
'"The Sd Division commenced a fur,
ther advance and had nearly reached
the plateau of AiZy when they were
driven back by a powerful counter az
tack, supported by heavy artllieIy
fire. The division, however, fell back IN
the best order, and finally intrencheo
itself about mile north OF Vallls
bridge, effectively covering its passase'
.NThe 4th and 5th divisions were un-
able to do more than maintain their
ground.
Foe Makes Determined Stand.
"On the morning of the 18th, after
close examination, 1 became convinced
that the enemy was making a determined
reaching me from the French armies
operating on my right and left winch
clearly indicated that the enemy was oc-
cupyinga a strongly intrenched line along
the whole valley of the Aisne. A rev
days previously the fortress of Maubeuge
had fallen and a quantity of siege artil-
lery had been brought from there 10
strengthen the enemy's front.
During the day shells, judged by ex-
perts to. be from eight-inch guns. fell on
our position. These had a range of 10000
yards, and during the course of the pat
from this fire, although latterly it's effects
have been largely mitigated by more
efficient and thorough intrenching, the
necessity for which / have impressed
strongly upon the army corps comman-
ders.
"As the enemy was able to bring a
flank fire on it, the 5th Division was
unable to maintain its position and had to
retire back to the river east of Missy,
where, with great skill and tenacity,
Maj. Gen. Sir Charles FERGUSON main
tained his position throughout the whole
battle, although his trenches were on
lower ground than those of the enemy's,
on a plateau only four hundred yards
away.
Gen. Hamilton, with the Division,
attacked vigorously and regained the
ground lost the 14th.
Change Made in Plans.
81 was compelled to change my plans
when 1 learned that the further advance
of the LIST Corps would have dangerous
ly exposed my right flank, and further 1
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
left to attack the enemy's flank and thus
compel his retirement. -
"On the 18th, 18th and 10Th the whole
OF our line was heavily bombarded.
stantly engaged: On the afternoon of
the 18th the right flank of the 1st
Division was seriously threatened. The
snemy.s attack was ultimately driven
back with heavy loss
"On the 18th information reached me
that Gen. Joffre had found it necessary
to make new plan and to attack and
envelop the German right flank. II
was evident to me that the battle in
which we had been engaged since the
18th must last some days longer. until
the flank movement could be felt and
the way opened to drive the enemy
from his positions.
Thus it became essential to estab-
lish some system of relief in the
trenches. and I have used the infantry
of the 9Th Division with good results
for this purpose. On the even
ing of the 18th the enemy again be
gan to show activity After dark the
enemy continued his attack on the "a
Our losses in these two days were con-
siderable. but the enemy's. as obtained,
vastly exceeded them. 10
Counter Attack Repulsed.,
"On the night of the 21st another
violent counter attack was repulsed
by the Sd Division. the enemy losing
heavily. On the 23d four 6-inch howit-
ger batteries which had asked to be
sent from home arrived. Two bat
teries were handed over to the I'd
Corps and two to the 1st Corps. They
were brought into action on the gath
with very good results.
Our experiences in this campaign
seem to point to the employment OF
IllOIc hSdNy suns VI idI SCI SdiiuSI al
great battles, which last several days
during which time powerful intrench-
ing work on both sides can be carried
out. These batteries were used with
considerable effect on the Gath and
following days
"On the e3d the action Of Gen. de
Castelnau's army on the allied left de-
veloped considerably. and apparently
withdrew considerable forces of the
enemy from the center and the east
J. am not aware whether it was due to
| this cause or not, but until the 26th 1t
appeared as though the enemy's oppo-
sition in our front was weakening. On
that day, however, very marked re-
newal of activity commenced. A con-
slant and vigorous artillery lombard
ment was maintained all day, and the
Germans in front of the 1st Division
were observed to be sapping up to our
lines and trying to establish new
trenches
.Renewed counter attacks we're de-
Iivered and beaten off during the
course of the day. and in the afternoon
well timed attack by the 1st DIVISION
stopped the enemy.s intrenchihg work
"During the night of the 21th and
2sth The enemy again made the most