Bogalusa enterprise. [volume] (Bogalusa, La.) 1914-1918, 1915-08-12
FIRST YEAR OF The
WAR IN The WEST

wan IN OI UIOI
The first month and q half OF the
western campaign was made up OF
startling, swift moves. On September
IL, after the defeat on the Marine, the
Germans took up defensive positions
along the Aisne river. The ten and q
half months since then have seen
long deadlock.
The battle line of the Aisne and the
Disc quickly extended northeast to the
sea. Fighting has been continuous,
with tremendous losses. The general
situation has remained unchanged
gains Of a few miles for one side at
one point Offset by minor gains 1or
the enemy in other sectors.
At the beginning Of August tho
kaiser took possession of the little
state of Luxembourg and demanded
passage through Belgium to the Fran
co-Belgian frontier.
Permission to pass denied, Won
Einem attacked Liege august A,
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
Client.
First Big Engagement.
Not until the Germans had almost
reached the French border did the
first important engagement take place
This is generally known as the battle
of Mons Charleroi (about August ~
28). but at the same time there wal
severe fighting along the whole lint
through ThionvilR in Lorraine ant
along the Vosges in upper Alsace
which the French had invaded VIII
temporary success.
This battle resulted in defeat for tn
French and English.
While obtaining some successes
counter-attacks on the advancing Gel
mans at Peronne and at Guise, IN
French were obliged to fall back raj
idly to the line of the River Marine.
On the left the French had VIII
drawn to below Paris and the western
most German army, under Won Klucl
, followed.
.. The garrison Of Paris was put
thousands of motor cars and hurled
Won Kluck's flank. The latter was N
taken entirely unawares and met u
> attack strongly, but at the same TIN
= the army of General Foch attacked Il
German army on Won Kluck's left al
drove it back.
,. Driven Back From Paris.
It The Germans had begun the bait
a with five armies in line. The VII
drawal of the two farthest west M
caused the retreat Of the third, four
and fifth in that order, each In tn
,e finding its flank exposed by the WI
= drawal of the troops on its right.
the same time the movement on
ie east end Of the German line was
y. celebrated by strong attack from
French fortified zone of Verdun.
~ The German retreat was as orde
10 as that of the French and English
been. The invaders took up an
NJ mirable defensive position. 1t
~ lust north of the Aisne river OF
ne series of bluffs, then just north
.r- Chalons and through the wooo
rough regions of the Argonne ana
IT.. Woeyre. Joining hands here with
ms troops besieging Verdun. The al
have tried this line in vain ever sl1
or Both combatants now tried TO
the west flank. Enormous bodies
ION cavalry. On the part OF the Ere
h. Flanders. On the part OF the Ere
there was largely the desire TO INF
yer with the Belgians, now being attac
in Antwerp. The mighty siege {
At Of the Germans made short worl
Of the Belgian seaport, however, an
fell on October 9. The remnant
the the Belgian army retreated along
"a sea coast and the Germans In q
rush reached Ostend October 49,
any Any Line Extended to the Sea.
The battle line of the Aisne was
% extended to the sea, the Germans
saw ing the important French city OF
'aii- while the allies kept Ypres in Bel
..te and, partly by flooding the 'o~l'
.,.. held the position Of the User river
canal.
near From October is to Novemoe
% !, vas fought the desperate f'rst