The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1914-11-05
gen. FRENCH REPORTS ON DESPERATE
FIGHTING IN BATTLE OF THE A|SNE

made good progress, but at $3.50 D. m.
the enemy's artillery and machine
gun fire from the direction OF vregny
became so severe that no further prog.
ress could be made. The positions
reached were held until dark.
The Third corps made an attempt
to throw heavy pontoon across the
river late in the afternoon, but gave
up because OF the heavy howitEer
IRE OF the suemy
In the evening the enemy retired
at ali points and intrenched himself
on high ground about two miles north
OF the river. along which runs the
Chemin des Danes.
Build Pontoons Under Fire.
During the night of the 18th and
on the 18th. and following days field
companies necessarily worked night
and day, throwing eight pontoons and
one foot bridge across the river under
a generally heavy artillery IRE, which
was necessarily kept up on most OF
the crossings after their completion.
The action OF the First corps on
this day under the direction and com
mand OF Sir Douglas Haig was OF SO
skillful, bold and decisive a eharac-
ter that he gained positions which
alone would lave enabled me TO main.
tain my posldon for more than three
weeks OF verS severe fighting ON the
north bank OF the river.
AboSs l p, m. the enemy obtained
footing between the First and Sec
ond corps and threatened TO cnA the
communication OF the latter. Gen.
eral Haig was hard pressed and had
no reserve In hand | placed cav
airy division AZ his disposal. Part OF
which he skill.slly used TO prolong
and secure the left flank OF the
Guards brigade. Some heavy hight
ing ensued, which resulted In the en-
envy being driven back with heavy
loss.
General Advance Ordered.
About four o'clock weakening OF
the eounter-attaeks by the enemy and
other indications tended 90 show chat
his resistance was decreasing, and a
general advance ~as ordered by the
army corps commander
Although meeting with consider.
able opposition and coming under
very heavy artillery and rife fire,
the position OF the corps at the end
OF the days operations extended from
the Chemin des DANES on the right
through Chiyy TO Le Cour De scuplr.
with the First cavalry brigade OK.
tending to the ChRvonna-S Scissors
road. On the right the corps was In
close touch with the Frencs Moroc.
can troops OF tae Eighteenth corps,
which were entrehched in echeion 70
Its right rear. During tho night they
entrenehed this position.
Throughout the battle OF the Aisne
this advanced and commanding posi-.
ton was maintained. and cannot
speak too highly Of the valuable serv.
ices rendered BY Sir Douglas Halg
and tho asSay corps under his som-
mAnd.
ION the morning OF the 18th I be-
came convinced that the enemy was
making n determined stand. Reports
reached IA from tho French armisa
on my right and left clearly indicating
that the enemy was occupying a
strongly intrenched line along the
whole Valley OF the Aisns
"GenerRI Hamilton, with the Third
division. attacked vigorously and 70
gained the ground lost ON the 18th.
Il was compelled 10 change my
plans when ! learned that further ad.
vance OF the First corps would have
dangerously exposed my right flank:
and further also learned from the
French commander-in- chief that he
was strongly re-enforCing the Sixth
French army corps on my left. with
the intention OF bringing up the allied
left 10 attack che enemy's flank and
thus compel his retirement.
ON the l7th. 18th aud 18th the
whole OF our line was heavily bonn
barded. The First corps was con-
stantly engaged, The enemy was ul-
timately driven back with heavy loss.
ON the 18th information reached
me that General Jofrre had deter
mined TO attack and enyelop the Ger.
man right flank
Night Attack RepuISed.
ON the evening OF the 18th the
enemy became active. After dark he
continued his attack on the Second
division, only 10 be driven back Our
losses in these two days we're consid-
cradle. but the enehy's. as obtained,
vastly exceeded them
on the night OF the 2lst another
violent attack Was repulsed by the
Third division. the enemy losing heav.
ny On the 23d four inch howltzer
batteries from home arrived They
we're brought into action on the gath
with very good results
on the 25d the action OF General
dc DastelnRu's army on the allied left
developed considerably and withdrew
considerable forces OF the enemy from
the center and the east Until the
Z6th Il appeared as though the en-.
emys position In our front was weak
eninE
ON that day. however. a marked
renewal Of activity commenced.
Renewed counter-attAcks were de-
liyered and beaten OF during the day,
-. ~ a.