6.5 A.M.—
South-west of Rothois—At the north point of Malmifet wood, a
company and two batteries of artillery on the march towards
Marseille-le-Petit.
6.7 A.M.—
Haute-Epine—Northern entrance to the village, one company of
infantry to the right and one to the left of the road. One
company at point 188. One company in the village of Haute-Epine.
6.9 A.M.—
At the cross-road to Lihus, a squadron of dragoons concealed
behind the edge of the wood.
6.14 A.M.—
On the road Cievecoeur-Marseille south of Lihus, a squadron on
the march towards Marseille-le-Petit, and a troop in the village
of Lihus.
6.16 A.M.—
On the Lihus-Potangy road, a squadron and two machine-guns
marching towards Marseille-le-Petit.
6.19 A.M.—
South-west entrance to Cieve-coeur, three regiments of cavalry,
including cuirassiers, and six batteries of artillery, in
assembly formation.
"The value of these two reports," declared one of the chief French military experts, "cannot be overestimated. Each one exposed the dispositions of the enemy, and the information was obtained in a remarkably short space of time."
As regards the second report of the two air-scouts, it provided one remarkable instance of the practical value of the aeroplane in time of war. Upon the night before the airmen carried out their reconnaissance, the troops they were observing had been heavily attacked, and the Commander-in-Chief for whom they were acting was particularly anxious to know whether his enemy intended to hold its ground, or was about to fall back.
The aerial report, when received, threw a clear light upon this point. Mainly cavalry and rear-guards had been detected during the flight. It was obvious, therefore, that the enemy was in retreat. Such results as these convinced the military experts who were studying the manœuvres that the future of the aeroplane, at any rate from the reconnoitring point of view, was practically assured.
For the splendid work which he had accomplished, Lieutenant Sido received promotion, and his pilot, Adjutant Menard, was presented with the Cross of the Legion of Honour. Lieutenant Sido, explaining afterwards how he succeeded in setting out such terse and informing reports, made several interesting observations regarding the work of a military observer.