God guard you and prosper our arms.
FRANCE,
September 6, 1914.
Sir John French to Mr. Churchill.
Thank you very much for your kind and encouraging letter. It was a keen pleasure to hear from you and to read your words.
I have had a terribly anxious time and the troops have suffered severely, but they are simply glorious!
I think you have heard me say that I would be ready to take on any enemy in Europe half as strong again. I say that more than ever now! I can’t find words to say all I think of them.
There has been some extraordinary misunderstanding at home as to my relations with General Joffre, the French C-in-C. We have been on the very best terms all through, and he has spoken most kindly of the help he has received from us. I can’t understand what brought Kitchener to Paris. I am writing to you as one of my greatest friends and I know you’ll let me write freely and privately. His visit was really most unfortunate. He took me away from the front to visit him in Paris on a very critical day when I should have been directing the operation most carefully, and I tell you between ourselves strictly that when I returned to my Head-quarters I found a very critical situation existing (8 p.m.!) and authoritative orders and directions badly needed. It was the day when the Guards and a Cavalry Brigade were so heavily engaged.
I do beg of you, my dear Friend, to add one more to all the many great kindnesses you have done me and stop this interference with field operations.
In reply I sent further explanations which, aided as they were by victory, proved acceptable.