The Washington herald., 1914-08-31
British Expeditionary Force
Simply Shattered by Sheer
Weight of German Attack
Never a White Feather Shopn in Whole Broken,
Retreating Army, Says London Times Writer,
During Days of Slaughter Around Mons
When the English, Without Cover,
Fought in Face of Great Odds

I French right wing, but it did not arrive
II appears that the Germans had worked
their way beyond the allies, cutting of
the right from the center.
After days Of gallant fighting, the
French troops massed in the angle Of
Belgian territory between the Sambre and
the Meuse broke and Namur fell. Gen.
Joffre, the French Commander-in-chief
was compelled to order a retreat
1T can be said of the Germans that
they have been carrying out the ancient
preCept Of warfare: Never give the
enemy a rest The pursuit of the retreat
ing allies was relentless and tireless
Every agency OF destruction was un-
loosed. There were aeroplanes lowering
above the earth and on the ground be-
low were gaIloping squadrons of cavalry
infantry going at the double quick and
batteries OF quick-firing guns mounted
on automobile trucks. The retiring COL
Umns were harassed continually and
the German general stan was kept
fully informed of the rearward move
ments OF the enemy. The French and
British allies fell back through Bavai on
the front line between Valenciennes and
Maubeuge. then through Lequesney
where desperate fighting took place.
South Of that point terrible damage
was done to the regiments of the allies
I asked a Pritish officer about the cas-
ualties- He was guarded of speech. nut
he replied: I'm afraid, sir, that our
losses have been heavy
Every Division in Action.
This will not apply to any particular
regiment but to the entire British expe-
ditiOnary force. Apparently every division
that came from England has been in &C
ton. Some lost nearly all their Of
hcers. Some Of the regiments were
smashed to bits before the relentless al
tacks Of that terrific German host
Though the loss Of life has been tre-
mendous the survivors remain cheerful
and keep up their spirits with the thought
that re-enforcements are on the way. J
THE losses of the Germans are colos-
sal. When I got into the field and saw
the results of the fighting 1 was appalled,
by the casualties. The enemy was pre-
pared to sacrifice three men for every one
lost by the allies.
IT wish to impress the nation. how
ever. that there is no panic. The ad-
vance Of the Germans has been in close
formation with no regard for cover.
Whether the allies lay behind an open
plain or behind a screen of wooded and
hilly territory. it was all the same to
the German officers. The order invar-
iably was Forward. Charge"
II mas peen the practice of the Ger
man cavalry upon entering a village to
set fire to a hayrick or a building to
give notice to their comrades that they
had taken possession and driven out the
enemy. This evidently led to reports
that the Germans were destroying viii
lagos indiscriminately.
The Germans have a number of
wounded French and British soldiers
and I believe all are receiving The best
of attention. We want te-enforcemnts
in France and we want them now. They
are badly needed il the allies are to win
this war"