De Groote Oorlog. [Feb. 1915.
gevreesde Uhlaan vrij spel had en daarvan dan ook gebruik maakte.
Uit dagbladberichten is bekend, dat de Duitschers vele weerbare
jongelieden in de door hen bezette streken aantroffen en wegvoer
den, die, bij tijdige waarschuwing, aan de landsverdediging hadden
kunnen ten goede komen.
25 Augustus.
The French were still retiring, and I had no support except
such as was afforded bij the Fortress of Maubeuge; and the
determined attempts of the enemy to get round my left flank
assured me that it was his intention to hem me against that
place and surround me. 1 felt that not a moment must be lost
in retiring to another position.
Men herinnert zich vermoedelijk de berichten omtrent de teleur
stelling van de Duitsche troepen bij de overgave van Maubeuge,
dat daarin maar zoo weinig Engelschen waren.
I had every reason to believe that the enemy's forces were
somewhat exhausted, and 1 knew that they had suffered heavy
losses. I hoped, therefore, that his pursuit would not be too
vigorous to prevent me effecting my object.
The operation, however, was full of danger and difficulty, not
only owing to the very superior force in my front, but also to
the exhaustion of the troops.
De troepen waren den geheelen dag in gevecht geweest en de
dagen zijn lang in Augustus. Het is daarom ditmaal beter te begrij
pen, dat de voortzetting van den terugtocht tot den volgenden
dag werd uitgesteld, hoewel hierdoor wederom de algemeene toestand
moeilijker werd.
The retirement was recommenced in the early morning of the
25th to a position in the neighbourhood of Le Cateau, and
rearguards were ordered to be clear of the Maubeuge-Bavai-Eth
road by 5.30 a. m. (Zie schets 3).
Two Cavalry Brigades, with the Divisional Cavalry of the
Second Corps covered the movement of the Second Corps. The
remainder of the Cavalry Division, with the 19th Brigade, the
whole under the command of General Allenby, covered the west
flank.
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