FREE BOOKS

Author's List




PREV.   NEXT  
|<   74   75   76   77   78   79   80   81   82   83   84   85   86   87   88   89   90   91   92   93   94   95   96   97   98  
99   100   101   102   103   104   105   106   107   108   109   110   111   112   113   114   115   116   117   118   119   120   121   122   123   >>   >|  
th-west. He expressed it as his intention to attack most vigorously (_au fond_), and asked for my best support, which I promised to give. I despatched Murray at once to visit the Corps and Cavalry Commanders and ascertain exactly the condition of their troops. He returned later in the day with very favourable reports. All were in excellent spirits and eager for the advance. They were having some much-needed rest; whilst reinforcements both of men and material were beginning to arrive. Reports received during the day confirmed all we had previously heard. The enemy's concentration against the centre of our line was complete. They had crossed the Marne at several points, and their advanced troops had been engaged during the past night and this day with our cavalry and 1st Army Corps on our right, and along the entire front of the 5th French Army. Later in the day Joffre came to Melun, and I had a long conference with him. We again went over all plans, and it was definitely arranged that the attack was to commence all along the line next day, the 6th. Joffre was full of enthusiasm, and very hopeful of success if we all fulfilled our respective _roles_ and attacked _au fond_. Thus ended the "Great Retreat." * * * * * In these pages I have avoided as far as possible any detailed account of the many splendid engagements which have added new and undying laurels to the battle rolls of all the distinguished regiments which fought them. I repeat that the main cause of the success, which prepared this vast battle ground and opened the way for the decisive battle of the Marne, is to be found in the able dispositions made by the leaders; the magnificent example set by officers and non-commissioned officers; and in the wonderful spirit, courage, and endurance which was displayed by the rank and file of the Army. My main object in writing this record is to explain as clearly as possible to my countrymen the line of thought which was in my own mind, the objects I set out to attain, and the reasons why I directed the troops as I did and came to the decisions at which I arrived at each successive phase of the operations. In concluding this chapter I am anxious to lay particular stress on a principle which seems to me of the utmost importance, namely, the danger of undue interference by the Government at home with the Commander of an Army in the field. Stanton's interference with McCl
PREV.   NEXT  
|<   74   75   76   77   78   79   80   81   82   83   84   85   86   87   88   89   90   91   92   93   94   95   96   97   98  
99   100   101   102   103   104   105   106   107   108   109   110   111   112   113   114   115   116   117   118   119   120   121   122   123   >>   >|  



Top keywords:

battle

 

troops

 

success

 

Joffre

 

officers

 
interference
 

attack

 

prepared

 

Government

 
opened

ground

 
danger
 

dispositions

 

Commander

 

decisive

 

account

 

splendid

 

engagements

 

detailed

 

Stanton


avoided

 

distinguished

 

regiments

 

fought

 

leaders

 

undying

 

laurels

 

repeat

 

objects

 

attain


thought

 
record
 

explain

 

countrymen

 

reasons

 
successive
 

operations

 

chapter

 

arrived

 

directed


decisions

 

writing

 

wonderful

 

principle

 

spirit

 

commissioned

 
concluding
 

importance

 

utmost

 

courage