It had been my intention to direct the First Corps to attack and seize
the enemy's position on the Chemin-des-Dames, supporting it with this
new reinforcement. I hoped, from the position thus gained, to bring
effective fire to bear across the front of the Third Division, which,
by securing the advance of the latter, would also take the pressure off
the Fifth Division and the Third Corps.
But any further advance of the First Corps would have dangerously
exposed my right flank. And, further, I learned from the French
Commander in Chief that he was strongly reinforcing the Sixth French
Army on my left, with the intention of bringing up the allied left to
attack the enemy's flank, and thus compel his retirement. I therefore
sent the Sixth Division to join the Third Corps, with orders to keep it
on the south side of the river, as it might be available in general
reserve.
On the 17th, 18th, and 19th the whole of our line was heavily bombarded,
and the First Corps was constantly and heavily engaged. On the afternoon
of the 17th the right flank of the First Division was seriously
threatened. A counter-attack was made by the Northamptonshire Regiment
in combination with the Queen's, and one battalion of the Divisional
Reserve was moved up in support. The Northamptonshire Regiment, under
cover of mist, crept up to within a hundred yards of the enemy's
trenches and charged with the bayonet, driving them out of the trenches
and up the hill. A very strong force of hostile infantry was then
disclosed on the crest line. This new line was enfiladed by part of the
Queen's and the King's Royal Rifles, which wheeled to their left on the
extreme right of our infantry line, and were supported by a squadron of
cavalry on their outer flank. The enemy's attack was ultimately driven
back with heavy loss.
On the 18th, during the night, the Gloucestershire Regiment advanced
from their position near Chivy, filled in the enemy's trenches, and
captured two Maxim guns.
On the extreme right the Queen's were heavily attacked, but the enemy
was repulsed with great loss. About midnight the attack was renewed on
the First Division, supported by artillery fire, but was again
repulsed.
Shortly after midnight an attack was made on the left of the Second
Division with considerable force, which was also thrown back.
At about 1 P.M. on the 19th the Second Division drove back a heavy
infantry attack strongly supported by artillery fire. At dusk the attack
was renewed and again repulsed.
On the 18th I discussed with the General Officer commanding the Second
Army Corps and his divisional commanders the possibility of driving the
enemy out of Condé, which lay between his two divisions, and seizing the
bridge, which has remained throughout in his possession.
As, however, I found that the bridge was closely commanded from all
points on the south side, and that satisfactory arrangements were made
to prevent any issue from it by the enemy by day or night, I decided
that it was not necessary to incur the losses which an attack would
entail, as, in view of the position of the Second and Third Corps, the
enemy could make no use of Condé, and would be automatically forced out
of it by any advance which might become possible for us.
7. On this day information reached me from Gen. Joffre that he had found
it necessary to make a new plan and to attack and envelop the German
right flank.
It was now evident to me that the battle in which we had been engaged
since the 12th inst. must last some days longer, until the effect of
this new flank movement could be felt and a way opened to drive the
enemy from his positions.
It thus became essential to establish some system of regular relief in
the trenches, and I have used the infantry of the Sixth Division for
this purpose with good results. The relieved brigades were brought back
alternately south of the river and, with the artillery of the Sixth
Division, formed a general reserve on which I could rely in case of
necessity.
The cavalry has rendered most efficient and ready help in the trenches,
and have done all they possibly could to lighten the arduous and trying
task which has of necessity fallen to the lot of the infantry.
On the evening of the 19th and throughout the 20th the enemy again
commenced to show considerable activity. On the former night a severe
counter-attack on the Third Division was repulsed with considerable
loss, and from early on Sunday morning various hostile attempts were
made on the trenches of the First Division. During the day the enemy
suffered another severe repulse in front of the Second Division, losing
heavily in the attempt. In the course of the afternoon the enemy made
desperate attempts against the trenches all along the front of the First
Corps, but with similar results.
After dark the enemy again attacked the Second Division, only to be
again driven back.
Our losses on these two days were considerable, but the number, as
obtained, of the enemy's killed and wounded vastly exceeded them.
As the troops of the First Army Corps were much exhausted by this
continual fighting, I reinforced Sir Douglas Haig with a brigade from
the reserve, and called upon the First Cavalry Division to assist them.
On the night of the 21st another violent counter-attack was repulsed by
the Third Division, the enemy losing heavily.
On the 23d the four 6-inch howitzer batteries, which I had asked to be
sent from home, arrived. Two batteries were handed over to the Second
Corps and two to the First Corps. They were brought into action on the
24th with very good results.
Our experiences in this campaign seem to point to the employment of more
heavy guns of a larger calibre in great battles which last for several
days, during which time powerful intrenching work on both sides can be
carried out. These batteries were used with considerable effect on the
24th and the following days.
8. On the 23d the action of Gen. de Castelnau's army on the allied left
developed considerably, and apparently withdrew considerable forces of
the enemy away from the centre and east. I am not aware whether it was
due to this cause or not, but until the 26th it appeared as though the
enemy's opposition in our front was weakening. On that day, however, a
very marked renewal of activity commenced. A constant and vigorous
artillery bombardment was maintained all day, and the Germans in front
of the First Division were observed to be "sapping" up to our lines and
trying to establish new trenches. Renewed counter-attacks were delivered
and beaten off during the course of the day, and in the afternoon a
well-timed attack by the First Division stopped the enemy's intrenching
work.
During the night of the 27th-28th the enemy again made the most
determined attempts to capture the trenches of the First Division, but
without the slightest success.
Similar attacks were reported during these three days all along the line
of the allied front, and it is certain that the enemy then made one last
great effort to establish ascendency. He was, however, unsuccessful
everywhere, and is reported to have suffered heavy losses. The same
futile attempts were made all along our front up to the evening of the
28th, when they died away, and have not since been renewed.
On former occasions I have brought to your Lordship's notice the
valuable services performed during this campaign by the Royal Artillery.
Throughout the battle of the Aisne they have displayed the same skill,
endurance, and tenacity, and I deeply appreciate the work they have
done.
Sir David Henderson and the Royal Flying Corps under his command have
again proved their incalculable value. Great strides have been made in
the development of the use of aircraft in the tactical sphere by
establishing effective communication between aircraft and units in
action.
It is difficult to describe adequately and accurately the great strain
to which officers and men were subjected almost every hour of the day
and night throughout this battle.
[Illustration: Map 10.--Sept. 15 to 28. This map shows the intrenched
positions of the Germans, many of which the Allies took with great loss
to the Germans.]
I have described above the severe character of the artillery fire which
was directed from morning till night not only upon the trenches, but
over the whole surface of the ground occupied by our forces. It was not
until a few days before the position was evacuated that the heavy guns
were removed and the fire slackened. Attack and counter-attack occurred
at all hours of the night and day throughout the whole position,
demanding extreme vigilance, and permitting only a minimum of rest.
The fact that between Sept. 12 to the date of this dispatch the total
numbers of killed, wounded, and missing reached the figures amounting to
561 officers, 12,980 men, proves the severity of the struggle.
The tax on the endurance of the troops was further increased by the
heavy rain and cold which prevailed for some ten or twelve days of this
trying time.
The battle of the Aisne has once more demonstrated the splendid spirit,
gallantry, and devotion which animates the officers and men of his
Majesty's forces.
With reference to the last paragraph of my dispatch of Sept. 7, I append
the names of officers, non-commissioned officers, and men brought
forward for special mention by army corps commanders and heads of
departments for services rendered from the commencement of the campaign
up to the present date.
I entirely agree with these recommendations and beg to submit them for
your Lordship's consideration.
I further wish to bring forward the names of the following officers who
have rendered valuable service: Gen. Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien and Lieut.
Gen. Sir Douglas Haig (commanding First and Second Corps, respectively)
I have already mentioned in the present and former dispatches for
particularly marked and distinguished service in critical situations.
Since the commencement of the campaign they have carried out all my
orders [Transcriber: original 'orders.'] and instructions with the
utmost ability.
Lieut. Gen. W.P. Pulteney took over the command of the Third Corps just
before the commencement of the battle of the Marne. Throughout the
subsequent operations he showed himself to be a most capable commander
in the field, and has rendered very valuable services.
Major Gen. E.H.H. Allenby and Major Gen. H. De La P. Gough have proved
themselves to be cavalry leaders of a high order, and I am deeply
indebted to them. The undoubted moral superiority which our cavalry has
obtained over that of the enemy has been due to the skill with which
they have turned to the best account the qualities inherent in the
splendid troops they command.
In my dispatch of the 7th September I mentioned the name of Brig. Gen.
Sir David Henderson and his valuable work in command of the Royal Flying
Corps; and I have once more to express my deep appreciation of the help
he has since rendered me.
Lieut. Gen. Sir Archibald Murray has continued to render me invaluable
help as Chief of the Staff; and in his arduous and responsible duties he
has been ably assisted by Major Gen. Henry Wilson, Sub-Chief.
Lieut. Gen. Sir Nevil Macready and Lieut. Gen. Sir William Robertson
have continued to perform excellent service as Adjutant General and
Quartermaster General, respectively.
The Director of Army Signals, Lieut. Col. J.S. Fowler, has materially
assisted the operations by the skill and energy which he has displayed
in the working of the important department over which he presides.
My Military Secretary, Brig. Gen. the Hon. W. Lambton, has performed his
arduous and difficult duties with much zeal and great efficiency.
I am anxious also to bring to your Lordship's notice the following names
of officers of my personal staff, who throughout these arduous
operations have shown untiring zeal and energy in the performance of
their duties:
_Aides de Camp._
Lieut. Col. Stanley Barry.
Lieut. Col. Lord Brooke.
Major Fitzgerald Watt.
_Extra Aide de Camp._
Capt. the Hon. F.E. Guest.
_Private Secretary._
Lieut. Col. Brindsley Fitzgerald.
Major his Royal Highness Prince Arthur of Connaught, K.G., joined my
staff as Aide de Camp on the 14th September.
His Royal Highness's intimate knowledge of languages enabled me to
employ him with great advantage on confidential missions of some
importance, and his services have proved of considerable value.
I cannot close this dispatch without informing your Lordship of the
valuable services rendered by the Chief of the French Military Mission
at my headquarters, Col. Victor Huguet of the French Artillery. He has
displayed tact and judgment of a high order in many difficult
situations, and has rendered conspicuous service to the allied cause. I
have the honor to be, your Lordship's most obedient servant,
J.D.P. French, Field Marshal,
_Commanding in Chief the British Army in the Field._