The state herald., 1914-09-18
.GEN. FRENCH TELLS HOW STRATEGY
SAVED BRITISH FROM ANN|H|LAT|0N

Cateau-landrecles position anu
ground had, during the 25th been par
TALLY preparing and intrenched, | had
grave doubts-owing to information
had received as to the accommodating
strength OF the enemy against me-
as to the wisdom of standing there to
fight
Having regard to the continued re-
tirement of the French right my ex'
posed left flank, the tendency OF the
enemy's western corps to envelop me.
and more than all the exhausted con.
dition OF the troops, | determined to
make great effort to continue the re-
treat ill could put some substantial
obstacle, such as the Somme or the
Oise, between my troops and the enc
my, and AFFORD the former some OPP
portunity for rest and reorganization.
Orders were therefore sent to
the corps commanders to continue
| their retreat rs soon as they possibly
could toward the general line OF Yer
mand ST. Quentin and Ribemont, and
the cavalry under General Allenby
were ordered to cover the retirement.
Throughout the 25th and far into the
evening the First corps continued to
march on Landrecies. following the
road along the eastern border of the
forest Of Normal. and arrived at Land
recies about ten o'clock.
Enemy Allows No Rest.
"I had Intended that the corps
should come further west. SO as to All
up the gap between Lecateau and
Landrecies, but the men were exhaust
ed and could not get further In with
out rest
THE enemy, however. would not
allow them this rest. and about $3.50
that evening the report was received
that the Fourth Guards brigade in
Landrecies was heavily attacked by
troops of the Ninth German army
corps. who we're coming through the
forest to the north Of the town. This
brigade fought most CALAMITY and
caused the enemy to suffer tre-
mendous loss in issuing from the for
est into the narrow streets Of the
town. This loss has been estimated
from reliable sources at between 700
and 1000.
AT the same time information
reached me from Sir Douglas Hnig
that his first division was also heavily
engaged south and east of Marbles"
Two French divisions assisted the
/ First corps to retire in the night OF
the 25th. Second corps took position
between Caudry and LeCateau.
Attacked by -Four Corps.
AT dnybreak II became apparent
that the enemy was throwing the bulk
of his strength against the left OF
the position occupied by the Second
corps and the fourth division. At this
time the guns of four German army
corps were In position against them,
and Sir Horace Smith Dorrien report
ed TO me that he Judged II impossible
to continue his retirement at day
break. as ordered. in the face OF such
an attack.
81 sent him orders TO use his ut
most endeavors to break on the action
and retire at the earliest possible mo
ment. as It was impossible for me to
send him support. the First corps be
| ing mt the moment incapable OF move
ment.
The French cavalry corps under
General sordet was coming up on
our left rear early in the morning and
7 sent him an urgent message 10 do
his utmost to come up and support
the retirement OF my left flank, but
owing to the fatigue OF his horses he
found himself unable to intervene In
any way.
outnumbered Four to One.
There had been no time to In.
trench the position properly. but the
troops showed u magnificent front TO
the terrible fre which confronted
them. The artillery. although out
marrhed by at least four TO one. made
a splendid fight and inflicted heavy
losses on their opponents.
'At length II became apparent that
| n complete annihilation was to be
avoided retirement must be attempted
and the order was given to commence
II about $3.50 In the afternoon. Tho
movement was covered with most de-
voted intrepidlty and determination by
the artillery. which had itself suffered
heavily. and the fne work done by
tho cavalry In the further retreat from
tho position assisted materially tb.
final completion OF this most difficult
and dangerous operation. Fortunate.
ly. tho enemy Ind himself suffered too
heavily to engage In an energetic pnr.
suit.
''Thc retreat was continued far into
the night OF tho 2Gth and through the
s7th and the 2sth. on which date tho
troops halted on the line from Noycn.
Chauny and LoFerc. having then
thrown on tho weight OF tho enemy's
pursuit.
French Come to Rescue.
"on the a7th md tho 2sth was
much Indebted 10 General sordot and