The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1919-05-06
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several hours next day On lie Cateuu
position.
An reconnaissance and intclllseneo
reports received mp 10 midnight on III.
18th coIrss3 In saying that Iarnpra'
then Sliil IN the POSSESSION u
French and that the position tncFc
not Sc, seriously threatened; lul.hL''
that while there were clear signs OIL ~
ul, tlnnking movement in progress ~
considerable bodies OF the enemy na
Vet crossed the lnc NalcncicHmes-L'u '' ~
and that aftrr their repulsc al SoicsnleS
by McCrnckcn and All"noE the t',ns
was not. in strength south OF the 4'i'e
Nalcnccnncs- MaubcuGe-
This estimate of Tho situation
confirmed hv a German wireless iiicH
sare Intercepted toward The evening VI
The oSth. which stated that IN" oul
thanking German corps was "niy At '"''
time moving toward Iai'ul"' '''Iu
Ihat ;hr remaining corps ~hi'h WV
engaged in the frontal attack "ei' "lii'
then knowing on toward l'altchie'
WnlIincuurt and l." Catcau respcc''Sc'!
The First corps had. aS. We Know
nnricnccd n much harder days Ha'c''
on tho 25th. and WIS attacked III '@lii
drecins and its nciEhborhood hclere !
could get any rest nj all. Sir Douh'
correctly appreciated the Strfhs'h y,
tho enemy on his immcdiat" front ana
gaugcd tho situation. namely tne oet
man design 10 impose on us the ioca
that ne was in great strength and TO pin
our troops to III" ground WINE MIS-
1snkinr movement became effective.
For this nurpnsc the enemy had hnr-
ried forward a large force Of artillery
cumposcd of guns and howitzcrs or aii
caIihcrs escorted and protected by FOUR
cavalry divisions and limited numoer
of JaErr hattalinns.
These ,rcops were pushed forward
orains, the Second corps at l." Cntehh
as they had hern against the FIRST
corns at 1.andrrcics, and with 4 precise
~ similar purpose.
The superb gallantry Of the troops
and the skillful leading by divisional
and brigade and battalion commanders
helped very materially by the support
given by Allcnby. Sordot a1l DAmade,
saved the Second corps. which other
wise would assurcdly have been pinned
to their ground and then surrounded.
Tho cavalry might have made GOOD
their retreat. hut three out Of FIVE diVi-
sions Of tho British army with the Sew
cnth brigade must have been lost.
The enemy. flushed by the primary
victory. would have pressed in on the
hanks Of tho First corps. cut on their
retreat and. continuing his combined
front and flank attack. would have al
most certainly. pushed the whole allied
army OF their line Of retreat. and
stupcndnus repetition of Sedan might
well have resulted.
The magnificent fight put ur by these
glorious troops saved disaster, hut the
actual result was a total loss of Mt least
400 officers and men. about SD guns.
numbers Of machine guns. as well as
quantities nt ammunition. war material
and baggage. whilst tho enemy gained
time to close up his infantry columns
marching down from the northeast. nj
tho cost Of losses not greater than. II
as great as our own. but which werc. in
view OF the immense superiority he
possessed in numbers and fighting
power. infinitely less important TO him.
The effect upon the English army was
to rcndcr the subsequent conduct Of tbs
retreat more difficult and arduous.
CONTINUED Wednesday,