South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-09-23
BRITISH REPORT
Of FIERCE FIGHT
ON AISNE RIVER
German Defense of Line More
Serious Than Was AntiCi-
pated by the Allied Armies,
Says Official Letter.

LONDON. Sept. %. - The official
press bureau Tuesday night reports
the following lighting from Sept. IA
10 is. written by an officer at Gen. Sir
John French's headquarters:
General headquarters, Sept. Is.
1914.
At the date OF the last narrative,
Sept IA. the Germans were making
determined resistance along the river
Aisne. Opposition which IL was at
first thought might possibly be OF
rear guard nature, not entallnB ma
terial delay TO our progress has de-
velOped and proved TO be mode
serious than was anticipated.
The action now being fought by
the Germans along their line may, it
is true have been undertaken TO gain
time for some strategic operation or
move and may not be their main
stand. But, If this is so, the fighting
is naturally on a scale. which, as 10
extent Of ground covered and duration
of resistance makes II undistinguish-
able in its progress from what is
known as "A pitched battle though
the enemy certainly showed signs of
considerable DISCRIMINATION during
the earlier days OF their retirement
phase.
Whether il was originally intended
by them to defend the position they
took up as strenuOusly 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.
Battle i'm Valley.
so far as we are concerned the
action still being contested is the bat
tie Of the Aisne. The foe we are
fighting is just across the river along
the whole OF our front to the east
and west. The struggle is not con-
fined TO the valley of that river
though il will probably bear its name
The progress of our operations
and the French armies nearest us for
the 18th, 18th and 10th will now be
described:
ION Monday. thu 14th.< those Of our
troops which had on the previous day
crossed the Aisne after driving in the
German rear guards on that evening
found portions of the enemy'S forces
in prepared defensive positions on the
right bank and could do little more
than acquire n footing north OF the
river. This, however. they maintained
I'm face Of two counter attacks, deliv-
cred at dusk and at 10 p. m, in
which the lighting was severe.
Get KcntOrcemeEtS.
During the 18th strong reinforce
ments of our troops were passed to the
north bank, the troops crossing by
ferry, by pOntoon bridges and by
trains of permanent bridges. The
British cooperation with the French
forces was maintained and the general
progress was good. but the opposition
was vigorous and the state Of the
roads after the heavy rain made move
ments slow.
"One division alone failed to secure
the ground 1t expected to.
The first army corps after re-
pulsing repeated attacks, captured 500
prisoners and u guns. The cavalry
also took a number OF prisoners.
Many Of the Germans taken belong to
the reserve and landwehr formations
which fact appears To indicate that
the enemy is compelled TO draw on
other classes Of service to fill the gaps
in his ranks
There was a heavy rain through
out the night of Sept. 14-15 and dur
ing the 18th The situation of the
British forces underwent no essential
change. But il became more and
more evident that the defensive prep
ratiOns made by the enemy were mere
extensive than was at first apparent.
Heavy Guns Used.
I'm order to cOunterbalance these.
measures were taken by us to econo-
mize our troops and TO secure protec-
ton from the hostile artillery fire
which was very fierce and our men
continued TO improve their own en-
trenchments. The Germans bonn
barded our lines nearly all day. using
heavy guns. brought no doubt from
before Maubeuge as well as those with
the corps.
"An the center counter attacks.
However, failed, although in some
places they were repeated six times.
one made on the fourth guards bril-
gade was repulsed with heavy slaugh-
ter.
"An attempt to advance slightly
made by part OF our line, was unsuc-
cessful as regards gain OF ground. but
led 20 the withdrawal of part OF the
enemys infantry and artillery.
Further counter attacks made dur
ing the night were beaten of. Rain
came on toward evening and was in
termittent until a. IN. on the 10th.
Besides adding 10 the discomfort of
the soldiers holding the line. the wet
weather to some extent hampered the
transport service, which was also him
dered by broken bridges
Efforts Are LESS Active.
ION Wednesday the 18th. there was
little change in the situation opposite
the British, the efforts made by the
enemy being less active than on the
previous day. though their lombard
ment continued throughout the morn
ing and evening. our artillery fire
drove the defenders off one of the
salients Of their position but they re-
turned in the evening. Forty prison
ers were taken by the third division
"On Thursday. the 18th. the situa-
ton still remains unchanged in its
essentials. The German heavy artil-
lery fire was more active than on the
previous day. The only infantry at
tacks made by the enemy were on the
extreme right OF our position and. as
had happened before. were repulsed
with heavy loss. chiefly on this occa-
sion by our field artillery.
I'm order 10 convey some idea OF
the nature OF the fighting. it may be
said that along the greater part OF
our front the Germans have been
driven back from the forward slopes
on the north of the river Their in
fanfrxy are holding strong lines Of