_This attack was especially violent; twelve army corps and four
cavalry corps were massed between the Lys and the sea._
_The Emperor was at the head of his armies. He addressed his men,
stating that a "decisive blow" was to be delivered. For three weeks
the German staff hurled furious assaults in mass formation. But as
early as Nov. 12 we were in a position to state that the outcome of
these assaults had been a victory for the Allies._
From the sea to Dixmude the Belgian Army, Gen. Grossetti and Admiral
Ronarc'h held first the railroad from Nieuport to Dixmude, then the
left bank of the Yser.
A hostile army corps, which had succeeded in reaching the left bank,
was forced to withdraw. It has never been able to go further than
Dixmude.
More to the south, from Dixmude to the north of Ypres, a like
situation.
The Germans, on Nov. 12, had crossed the river at two points, were
pushed back to the other bank, thus giving Gen. Humbert the command of
the bridges.
East of Ypres, Gens. Dubois, Balfourrier, and Douglas Haig had not
yielded an inch of ground.
Further south the German attack, aiming at our lines of communication,
had been particularly violent, but the English and the French regained
all the ground that had been momentarily lost and made it impregnable.
During the second half of November the shattered German attacks
weakened. The infantry engaged us less frequently and the artillery
showed less activity.
The enemy, in the battle of Ypres alone, had lost at least 120,000
men.
Never had such a thoroughly prepared and spirited offensive undergone
such a complete failure.