Lieut. Gen. Sir Douglas Haig
Commanding one of Gen. French's Corps
(From Painting by John St. Helier Lander.)
Crown Prince Wilhelm
(Copyright, Photographische Gesellschaft, by permission of the Berlin Photographic Co., N.Y.)
It will, however, be of interest to say here that, in spite of a very determined resistance on the part of the enemy, who is holding in strength and great tenacity a position peculiarly favorable to defense, the battle which commenced on the evening of the 12th inst. has, so far, forced the enemy back from his first position, secured the passage of the river, and inflicted great loss upon him, including the capture of over 2,000 prisoners and several guns. I have the honor to be your Lordship's most obedient servant,
(Signed.) J.D.P. FRENCH,
Field Marshal,
Commanding in Chief, the British forces in the field.
III.
The Battle of the Aisne.
8th October, 1914.
MY LORD: I have the honor to report the operations in which the British forces in France have been engaged since the evening of Sept. 10:
1. In the early morning of the 11th the further pursuit of the enemy was commenced, and the three corps crossed the Ourcq practically unopposed, the cavalry reaching the line of the Aisne River, the Third and Fifth Brigades south of Soissons, the First, Second and the Fourth on the high ground at Couvrelles and Cerseuil.