Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1915-08-06
FIRST YEAR OF THE
WAR IN THE WEST

The first month and 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 a
half months. since then have seen a
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 for
the enemy in other sectors.
At the beginning of August the
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 ~,
while other German armies passed
around the city and swept over the
level Belgian roads at a 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 20
28), but at the same time there was
severe fighting along the whole line
through Thionville in Lorraine and
along the Vosges in upper Alsace
which the French had invaded with
temporary success.
This battle resulted in defeat for this
French and English.
While obtaining some successes In
counter-attacks on the advancing Ger
mans at Peronne and at Guise, this
French were obliged to fall back rap
Idly to the line of the River Marine.
On the left the French had with
drawn to below Paris and the western
most German army, under Won KIuck
followed.
The garrison Of Paris was put II
thousands OF motor cars and hurled OF
Won Kluck's flank. The latter was no
attack strongly. but at the same tim,
the army Of General Foch attacked tn
German army on Won Kluck's left an,
drove It back.
Driven Back From ParIa.
The Germans had begun the BATH
with Eve armies In line. The with
drawal OF the two farthest west nor
81
and fifth in that order, each in turf
finding its flank exposed by the with
drawal OF the troops ON its right. A
the same time the movement on tn
east end OF the German line was a.
celebrated by a strong attack from tn
French fortified zone OF verdun.
The German retreat was as orderl
as that Of the French and English ha
been. The invaders took up an az
mirable defensive position. 1t IA
Just north of the Aisne river, on
series of bluffs. then Just north {
ChalonB and through the woode,
rough regions Of the Argonne and tn
Woevre. Joining hands here with tn
troops besieging Verdun The allie
have tried this line In vain ever sine
Both c0mbatants now tried to tur
the west flank. Enormous bodies
cavalry. On the part OF the Frenc
Flanders On the part of the FrenC
there was largely the desire to link u
with the Belglans. now being attacke
in Antwerp. The mighty siege ugur
OF the Germans made short work
the Belgian seaport. however, and
fell on October 3. The remnants
the Belgian army retreated along Ii
sea coast and the Germans in 3 I'm
rush reached Ostend October 49,.
Line Extended TO the Sea-
The battle line Of the Aisne was no
extended % the sea. the Germans hol
ing the important French city OF Lii
while the allies kept Ypres in Belgiu
and, partly BY flooding the loWland
held the position OF the User river an
canal
From October 1e to November
4 gas fought the desperate first bait
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AERnpI ANEc A PEuEI ATlnN.