WAR NOTES

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 11 September 1917, Page 2

WAR NOTES

BATTLE OF THE MARNE. VISCOUNT FRENCH INTERVIEWED PARIS, September 7. The "Journal" publishes an interview with Viscount French on the anniversary of the battle of the Marne. Viscount French said: After ten days' Tetreat and forced marches, the one idea of Joffre and myself and all the commanders was to save Paris, avoiding a decisive defeat. We passed days of keenest anxiety. I was of opinion that we ought to fall further back in order to gain time until our men got their breath before we attempted to bar the road. The enemy were superior in their effectives and material. Joffre at first proposed to fight, at the Marne with a thin line. Finally came von Kluck's extraordinary manoeuvre, moving obliquely southwards. He was doing this when he learned that the British Army was still firm and that the Sixth French army had been formed to protect Paris. Von Kluck's flank was thus menaced, and before Manoury crossed the Ourcq he began to participate retreat. Von Kluck saved his army, but I was astonished that he did not continue straight forward in his attempt to. force a passage. The British rapidly advanced and pressed back the enemy thirty miles in four days. Unfortunately, my brave men numbered only 67,000. Viscount French added: During 1915 I continually made representations for guns and munitions to Lord Kitchener. Experts on one occasion said that this programme would take eight years to manufacture, but fortunately Mr Lloyd George accomplished the task, to his enternal honour.