desperate assault after another, each carried out by fresh
units from the large numbers which the Germans were devoting to the
operation." Finally the French came to their assistance, and "never was
help more welcome; for by then our small local reserves had again and
again been thrown into the fight in the execution of counter-attacks,
and our men were exhausted by the incessant fighting."

The British front now has been considerably shortened and in addition
has been reinforced, while a lull in the activity has enabled the
British to readjust their forces, strengthen their positions, and bring
up reserves. There has, therefore, "been a great general improvement in
the conditions under which we are carrying on the fight". Of the
fighting which preceded this reorganization the writer says it is due
solely to the resource, initiative, and endurance of the regimental
officers and men that success has lain with the British. He continues:

"As the struggle swayed backward and forward through wood and hamlet,
the fighting assumed a most confused and desperate character. The units
became inextricably mixed, and in many cases, in order to strengthen
some threatened point or to fill a gap in the line, the officers had to
collect and throw into the fight what men they could, regardless of the
units to which they belonged. Our casualties have been severe; but we
have been fighting a battle, and a battle implies casualties, and, heavy
as they have been, it must be remembered that they have not been
suffered in vain.

"The duty of the French, Belgians, and British in the western theatre of
operations has been to act as a containing force; in other words, to
hold on to and to keep occupied as many of the enemy as possible while
the Russians were attacking in the east. In this we have succeeded in
playing our part, and by our resistance have contributed materially
toward the success of the campaign. Moreover, our losses have not
impaired our fighting efficiency. The troops have required only a slight
respite in order to be able to continue the action with as much
determination as ever. They are physically fit and well fed and have
suffered merely from the fatigue which is inseparable from a protracted
struggle such as they have been through. The severest handling by the
enemy has never had more than a temporary effect on their spirits,
which they have soon recovered, owing to the years of discipline and
training to which the office