The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1906-2016, 1921-09-08
THE BATTLE OF THE MARINE.

Seven years ago, this afternoon
marks the decisive day in the grea
battle of the Marine, which opened OF
September 9Th and was concluded
with German defeat and retreat OF
the 18th. But September Sth marks
the epochical period in the battle. L
was on this fateful afternoon, sever
years ago, that Won Kluck, disobeyine
the orders of his general staff, gave
the order to retreat, after he had fol
two solid days refused to obey Vor
Moltkes instructions. 33iJf
The defeat of the German forces or
that occasion, was the beginning oil
the end; it played havoc with the
plans outlined by the Germans years
and years ago, of enveloping the cue
my and swiftly ending the war.
For long time it was difficult to
get German viewpoint on this great
battle, so that it was impossible to
form correct conclusions from every
viewpoint as to the controlling factors
in the Allied victory. During the
war nothing of consequence could be
secured from the Germans In this re-
gard. For a whole year they absolute
ly denied that there had been such a
oopaiof Tboir oxu,, ,,aOnlo ,yora l1o,xf
in as complete ignorance as possible,
while the outside world was unable
to get any definite information as to
the ideas Of German military leaders
in regard to the causes of their de-
feat.
Now, however, the German conclu-
sions are made clear They admit
defeat and also admit that the result,
was great, il not permanent blow
to German hopes of victory. Taking
the Allied viewpoint and the German
viewpoint together it seems clear that
the Germans were outmaneuvered,
and outfought at every point. Gener-
al Won Kluck disobeyed the orders
of his superior, General Won Moltke,
md the latter's strategy seems to
have been defective at best.
1t is certain that the sudden and
attack of General Man
curry, who rushed his men out from
Paris in taxycabs, cut considerable
figure, also that General Foch with
his ninth army completely surprised
and defeated the German center at
Fere Champenoise. Both these
things are admitted now, by the Ger
mans. Furthermore, Gen. Won Kluck's
veering his army to the south of Paris
was a fatal mistake. There seems
% have been general decentralization
md disintegration among the German
leaders at the most critical point.
The allied commanders took. full
OF all this, and the only
mistake they made was that they did
not follow up their advantage to the
fullest extent. However, the fruits
OF victory were far-reaching. It
the whole scheme OF the war,
prevented quick German victory
which was practically their only
chance, and enabled the French and
English to gain time to organize their
forces and make a successful defense
until such time as they were able to-
take the offensive.
In history the first battle of the
Marine will take a premier place. It
WIS the greatest battle of all time,
fought on most magnificent scale,
with the number of men engaged on
each side far greater than in any
previous battle.
Future historians will refer to the
battle off the Marine as the place
where modern civilization was saved,
rs against the attacks of mediaev-
Al ruler. who proposed to impose in
mankind a ruthless and merciless ty
ranny. 1t cast undying glory on the
arms Of england and France, and has
the names of the allied
i, e,x.,o.nda~e