The state herald., 1915-08-06
FIRST YEAR OF THE
WAR IN THE WEST

The first month and a half OF the
western campaign was made up Of
startling. swift moves. On September
IL, after the defeat on the Marne, the
Germans took up defensive positions
along the Aisne river. The ten and 4
half months since then have seen q
long deadlock
The battle line OF the Aisne and the
oise quickly extended northeast to the
Sea. Fighting has been continuous,
with tremendous losses. The general
situation has remained unchanged,
gains Of few miles for one side at
one point Offset by minor gains for
the enemy in other sectors.
At the beginning of August the
kaiser took possession OF the little
state OF Luxemburg and demanded
passage through Belgium to the Fran.
co-Belgian frontier.
Permission to pass denied. Won
Einem attacked Liege august ~,
while other German armies passed
around the city and swept over the
level Belgian roads at terrific rate.
The little Belgian army yielded Brus-
sells and fell back to Antwerp and
Ghent
First Big Engagement.
Not until the Germans had almost
reached the French border did the
nrst important engagement take place
This is generally known as the battle
OF Mons-Charleroi (about August 20
2S). but at the same time there was
severe fighting along the whole line
through Thioavilk in Lorraine and
along the Vosges In upper Alsace.
which tho French had invaded with
temporary success.
This battle resulted In defeat for the
French and English.
While obtaining some successes in
counter-attacks on the advancing Ger.
mans at Peronne and at Guise. tho
French were obliged to fall back rap.
Idly to the line of the River Marne.
On the left the French had with.
drawn to below Paris and the western.
most German army. under Won Kluck.
followed.
The garrison OF Paris was put in
thousands OF motor cars and hurled on
Won Kluck's flank. The latter was not
taken entirely unawares and met the
attack strongly. but at the same time
the army of G, ueral foch attacked the
German army ca Won Klucks left and
drove II back.
Driven Back From Paris.
The Germans had begun the battle
with nyo armies In line. The with.
draval OF the two farthest west now
caused the retreat OF the third. fourth
and NTH In that order each In turn
finding its fiank exposed by the with.
drawAi OF the troops on It's right. At
the same time the movement on the
east end OF the German line was nc.
CELEBRATED by a strong attack from the
French fortified zone Of Yerdun.
The German retreat was an orderly
a. that OF the French and English had
been. The invaders took up an nd.
mirable defensive position. II ran
Just north OF the Aisne river. on n
series OF bluffs. then Just north OF
ChaionA and through the wooded.
rough regions OF the Argonne and the
woeyrc. joining hands here with the
troops besiegins vordun. Tn. allies
have tried this limo In vain ever since.
Both eombatanta now tried 10 turn
the west flank. Enormous bodies OF
cavalry. ON the part OF tho French
Flanders on the part OF tho French
there was largely the desire TO link w
with the Belgiana, now being attacked
In Antwerp The mighty Siege gums
Of the Germans made short work Of
tho Belgian seaport, however. and 1,
fell on October .. The remnants oi
the Belgian army rotrcated along the
sea coast and the Germans In u nnal
rush reached oH,ond October i5).
Line Extended TO tho sea.
The battle line OF the Alene was now
extended TO the sea the Germans hold
ing the importan, French city Of Lille
while the allies kept Ypres IN belgium
and. partly by flooding the loviandr
held the position Of the User river and
canal
From october 10 TO November II
was fought the desperate frst battle