VON BULOW
The slow progress effected in the British sector is explained by the extreme fierceness of the struggle.
General Franchet d'Esperey took advantage of the reduction of the forces opposed to him. Vigorously pushing back the latter, he continued his advance northwards, eventually reaching and crossing the River Grand Morin.
This advance helped to lessen the effects of the furious attacks that the Germans were then making against General Foch's army.
In front of the latter, Von Bulow, whose armies were still intact, realised the danger which threatened Von Kluck, and, in order to avert it, endeavoured to pierce the French front. He concentrated the whole of his efforts against the 42nd Division, under General Grossetti, whose arduous mission it was to maintain the connection between the Fifth and Ninth Armies, under Franchet d'Esperey and Foch respectively.
A terrific struggle followed, as a result of which Grossetti was forced to fall back. Fortunately, as we have just seen, the right of Franchet d'Esperey's Army was able, thanks to its advance, to come to the rescue and prevent the French front from being pierced.
Before Von Hausen, the whole line fell back slightly.
Meanwhile, the Duke of Wurtemberg and the Crown Prince attacked fiercely at the junction of the Fourth and Third French Armies under Langle de Cary and Sarrail respectively.
The aim of the attack was to separate these two armies and force what is known as the Revigny Pass. The latter is a hollow through which flow the Rivers Ornain and Saulx, and the canal from the Marne to the Rhine.
While the Germans under the Duke of Wurtemberg attacked the right of Langle de Cary's army, in the direction of Saint-Dizier, the Crown Prince sought to drive back General Sarrail's left towards Bar-le-Duc.