SECRET OF THE MARNE

Hokitika Guardian, 18 February 1920, Page 3

SECRET OF THE MARNE

DEADLY THRUST LAUNCHED. Yvlio delivered the- filial blow which I'Oinpelled the Germans to retreat at the first battle of the Alamo!' This is a question which for five years has been a matter of acute controversy, the secret has been closely kept by tho German Staff. It lias now been divulged by the publication of the instructions issued bv the German Supreme Command on SeqAemlier 10, 1914, which prove that the advance of the British caused tlio German retreat. This in no way derogates from the magnificent. achievement of the French Staff and troops, who bp re by far tlio heaviest burden in that ternffic struggle, and covered themselves with undy. ing renown, and whose efforts enabled the British “Contcmptiblcs” to make the deadly thrust. The German instructions have never before been printed in .this [country. They are taken from “Die Marnesehlacht,’ a book recently , (published in Germany by General Baumgarten-Crusius, who himself served on the staff of tlie Third German •Army. They are given below in a literal translation, only the words in brackets having been added by the translator: 'lhe First (German) Army (Kiuck’s ; * on September 9 (1914) was engaged in a battle—which was generally successful and specially favourable on the right wing against very superior French and British forces attacking from Faris and from the south-east, on a line from ! Nanteuil to east of Means'. Its left think on the Marne was secured by a mixed brigade, and by the Second Cavalry Corps. The Second Ann v (Billow) had bent its rigilit wing backward near Montmirnil and Fonteiiello and ! covered itself by the First Cavalry Corps on the Dolliui sector, north-west of Fontenelio. About noon of September 9th strong British forces thrust towards the Marne in the gap between the First and Second Annies. The brigade covering the left wing of the First Army attacked tlio advancing enemy in conjunction with the Second Cavalry Corps and the Fifth Infantry Division, and so enabled the First Army to withdraw its left wing, which was in great danger, in the direction of Coulombs. As the result of this (British) thrust, the Second Army was also compelled to retire its right wing, notwithstanding the excellent progress ot the attack which its left wa s conducting, strengthened by half the 'fluid Army. The (Second) Army to-day holds with strong rearguards the line Donna ns-A vizc-Pocancy.”