In a first period (Sept. 13-29) the enemy had the upper hand, fortified themselves in St. Mihiel, reached the Hauts-de-Meuse, and threatened Verdun.
In the second period (Oct. 1 to Nov. 30) we regained the advantage.
We cleared the vicinity of Verdun. We advanced east of Nancy, which is now quite safe from German shells, to the north of Lunéville, and to the northeast and east of Saint-Dié.
In November we had recovered almost in its integrity the invaded territory between Belfort and the Moselle.
In brief, the situation on Dec. 1 was as follows:
In number of men, the French Army is equal to what it was on Aug. 2, as all the gaps have been filled up.
The quality of the troops is infinitely better. Our men now fight like veterans. All are deeply convinced of their superiority and have absolute faith in the final victory.
Several necessary changes were made among the commanding officers, and in the last three months none of those mistakes was committed that had been observed and punished in August.
Our supply in artillery ammunition has been largely increased. The heavy artillery which we lacked has been provided for and seen at work on the battlefield.
The English Army has been very heavily reinforced in November. It is numerically stronger than at the outset of the campaign. The Indian troops have completed their apprenticeship in European warfare.