You got a true insight into French patriotism when, instead of hearing complaints of hardships, you were questioned as to the latest news from the battle-line. And if you knew less than mother and boy you forgave the look of pity which followed your answer. You, they thought, should be where the British soldiers were. And this small family, which I watched for eight hours during a dreary progress away from a sternly-fought area, was but a type of thousands of others. Truly war brings out the best, as well as the worst, of humanity.“
CHAPTER VI
THE FRENCH ARMY ON THE OISE—SIR JOHN FRENCH ON THE OPERATIONS OF THE BRITISH TROOPS ON AUGUST 28—THE FIGHT AT ST. QUENTIN—A SHARP ACTION AT COMPIÈGNE—AT CHANTILLY—ENGLISH SOLDIERS SHOPPING—A QUIET DAY—BRITISH LOSSES AND RESOURCES—THE ENEMY AT SENLIS—THE END OF THE RETREAT—A VIEW OF A GREAT MILITARY FEAT—SIR JOHN FRENCH’S DESPATCH.
The Press Bureau supplied, on September 7, a survey of the activities of the British Expeditionary Army which has, it stated, conformed to the general movement of the French forces and acted in harmony with the strategic conceptions of the French General Staff.
After the battle at Cambrai, on August 26, where the British troops successfully guarded the left flank of the whole line of French armies from a deadly turning attack, supported by enormous force, the 7th French Army came into operation on our left, and, in conjunction with the 5th Army on our right, this greatly relieved our men from the strain and pressure.
The 5th French Army, in particular, on August 29 advanced from the line of the Oise River to meet and counter the German forward movement, and a considerable battle developed to the south of Guise.
In this, the 5th French Army gained a marked and solid success, driving back with heavy loss and in disorder three German Army Corps, the 10th, the Guard, and a reserve corps.
It is believed that the commander of the 10th German Corps was among those killed.