Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-07-01

dun was bagatelle to il. I was told by
these French officers--knew what the
British troops had faced during all the
battles in Flanders last year. and had a
deeper understanding of British courage
The British were loud in praise of the
French troops and surprised at their
splendid physique, for. on the whole,
they were taller bigger fellows than the
Tommies-and full of admiration for
their skill and gallantry.
For almost the first time during this
war great bodies of French and British
troops were intermingled- ohey had been
very aloof from each other until then
and 1t has created a mutual esteem
which will not disappear. Then, few
weeks ago, came the attack on the
French between Cernay and Berrey-au-
Bac.
There were four English divisions
the Fifteenth, Eighth and Twenty-first.
with the Twenty-ffth in support-who
had been sent down there to have a quiet
time after having suffered exceedingly in
fighting against Overwhelming odds since
March 81. British strength INCLUDED a
considerable number of new drafts who
had never been under fire
Well. what happened belongs to his
tory, though not all its details have been
told. The Germans concentrated more
than forty divisions secretly behind the
Chemin des Danes and forced their way
through the French and British lines and
advanced to Chateau-Thierry.
The French general staff and all the
French officers state that the British di-
visions. weak as they were and faced by
heavy odds, fought with the most heroic
stubborn courage until the enemy had
driven down to Fismes, far below them
on the left. so that their remnants had
to fall back to the line Of the River
Nesle and make new stand there.
Afterward they fought with and
among the French until the middle Of
this month, and French soldiers cannot
say too much about the gallant spirit of
Nos Tommies" who share their rations
and their risks. II was a tragic busi-
ness for these British divisions, but
when all is told the heroism of these men
who made their last stand on the River
Aisne will shine out in the pages of his
tory
The general outline has been given
especially with reference to the Fifteenth
Division. on the left. by Craonne. and
the Twenty-first on the right. by Berry
au-Bac. Both these divisions came under
terrific gunfire on the morning of the
attack and the German artillery, not
satisfied with this effect on the line of
infantry. which was being raked by ma
chine-gun and rife fire, and started an
other and more violent bombardment
until the British defensive lines were de-
stroyed.
Storm Disturbs Quiet
The eight divisions in the center of
the British lines had the same desperate
adventure. They were holding a line
of about 10000 yards more than six
miles For some days they were de-
lighted with their situation, and thoueht
It paradise after the Somme battlehelds.
They were on wooded plateau above
the river and canal of the Aisne. with
lines of hills in front of them ana De-
hind them another chain of hills.
1t was a beautiful country, with
hardly the sound of guns to break Its
auietude. and the weather was gloriousiy
warm, so that they used to bathe in the
canal and lie about basking. They couId
see the German trenches some 2ooo
yards away. and there never was any
sniping II they showed themselves, and
no sign of abnormal movement In tne
enemy's lines. "A blooming picnic.
Tommy remarked very happy with him'
self.
But in the afternoon Of May 26 teie-
phone message came over, breaking this
spell Of tranquility. It was a message
to saw that the enemy intended to at
tack on the Chemin -des Danes next day
and the British troops must prepare
| for battle.
As we know now. the enemy hao
massed a number of troops secretly ano
| rapidly at night, hiding them In the
woods by day from airplane observation
Instead of preparing his dumps in tins
| open he had brought ammunition into