At that very moment, I heard some loud explosions. The Aisne bridges had been blown up.
"Au revoir," said the Colonel, getting into his motor-car, "and good luck!"
I remained there a moment half dazed. The communication I had was worthless, and dangerous too, as it gave wrong information.
The only thing that remained was to ride, at full speed, back to Sermoise and warn my chief there of the danger that threatened us.
An hour later, I arrived there breathless. Colonel Iweins was dictating his instructions for the journey of the following day. I informed him immediately of what I had learnt at Soissons.
The bivouac was at once broken up and Major Joostens set out in his motor-car to get instructions from the French Headquarters. He returned soon after with orders to start immediately for Château-Thierry.
The main road from Sermoise to Château-Thierry passes through Soissons. There is another way, but it is not practicable for artillery, and it would have caused us delay at a time when every moment was precious.
Colonel Iweins decided to send his horsemen to guard the passages of the Aisne. During that time the batteries and the vehicles with the accessories were to gallop through Soissons. The squadrons were to fall back and they would thus be able to protect the retreat.
This plan was carried out and only just in time. The gendarmerie waggon, which was a little behind, was attacked and captured by the Germans.