The Washington times., 1918-07-16

The British army-three corps and
a cavalry brigade-was placed at
wide angle with Maunoury's right,
in a line from Lagny on the Marine
to Coulombiers on the Grand Norm,
and behind the latter river. Then
came the French cavalry under Cen
eral Canneau, and on their right the
Fifth French army, now commanded
by Gen. Franchet d'Esperey, hold
ing the line from Courtacon north
ward to Esternay. Next was sec
ond army of reserves-the Ninth
organized after August 81, and led
by General Foch. He was fronting
Won Bulow in a position from the
Grand NORM through Sezanne, and
eastward to Camp de Mailly. Join
ing Foch was TAngle de Cary with
the Fourth army, south OF Vitry. and
opposing Duke Albrecht; while the
Third army, now under General Sar-
rail, faced the Imperial Crown Prince
from Barbecue north toward Yer
dun. This fortress was actually at
about the center of the opposing
lines; but the armies that lay south
and east through the Vosges and in
Alsace had no part in the l2O-mile
front battle which has been given
the name of the river that flows
through its width field. IT Is esti-
mated that 1000 900 OF the Nallies
fought 900, 900 Germans at the battle
of the Marine.
The FatefuI Day.
The beginning Of the Anglo-French
offensive was fixed for the dawn OF
Sunday, September 6. 1t was one OF
the most critical moments in the his
tory of France II the Germans
should crush and break through the
allies human barrier, IL was fore
gone conclusion that the countrys
capital would soon be taken ana an
incalculable physical and moral ad-
vantage would be thrown over to the
Teutons' side. In his order of the
day the French commander told his
men that upon the, battle about TO
begin the fate of their country de-
pended.
The appointed hour found the Sixth
army approaching the west bank OF
the Ourcq. Won Kluck, on perceiving
so great a force threatening his flank
checked his advance across the
Marne and made new plans to meet
that part of the coming foe. This
must be noted as one Of the events
that decided the battle. Meanwhile
the British advanced in northeast
erly direction, striking Won Kluck on
the right and center, and by nightfalI
they held a line extending across and
south OF the Grand Norm, with their
right a little north of Dagny.
The remainder of the allies met
with less success. D'Esperey Fifth
army) made but little progress
against Won Kluck's left, and Foch
ninth army none at all against Won
Bulow and Won Hansen. L'Angle de
Cary Fourth army received a vio-
lent counter attack from Duke
Albrecht, while Sarrail (Third army
had to retreat before the imperial
crown prince. But the important re-
suit of the first day was that Won
KlucL's right had been turned, COM
polling him -henceforth to Tight on
two fronts.
September was day of desperate
fighting on the whole of the
long battle line, but without
result except on the allied
left. Maunoury began slowly driving
in the German outposts on the Ourcq.
The British renewed their advance at
dawn, and by 5 a. m. their center was
in possession of Coulommiers. By this
capture the entire right flank OF Won
Kluck's forward movement was I'M
covered, and so deadly was the artil-
lery fire that he could no longer re-
main on the Grand NORM. He there
fore retreated behind it, and this gave
D'Esperey a chance to move forward
and take a new position from La Ferte
Gaucher to Esternay.
Germans On Retreat.
On the morning of September s, the
allies were cheered and encouraged
by the evidence that the whole Ger
man right was in retreat. Won Kluck's
frontal strokke at D'Esperey had fall
ed. and Maunoury and Sir John French
had turned his flank. This day
marked the turning of the tide. The
sixth army reached the banks OF
Ourcq; the British poured. over the
country between the Grand and Petit
Norm, and by evening had won the
south bank OF the latter stream. their