De Groote Oorlog.
Feb. 1915.]
The 4th Division commenced its detrainment at Le Cateau
on Sunday, the 23rd, and by the morning of the 25th eleven
battalions and a Brigade of Artillery with Divisional Staff were
available for service.
1 ordered General Snow to move out to take up a position
with his right south of Solesmes, his left resting on the Cam-
brai-Le Cateau Road south of La Chaprie. In this position the
Division rendered great help to the effective retirement of the
Second and First Corps to the new position. (Zie schets 4;
La Chaprie is op de ons ter beschikking staande kaarten met
te vinden).
Throughout the 25th and far into the evening, the First Corps
continued its march on Landrecies, following the road along
the eastern border of the Forêt De Mormal, and arrived at
Landrecies about 10 o'clock. I had intended that the Corps
should come further west so as to fill up the gap between Le
Cateau and Landrecies, but the men were exhausted and could
not get further in without rest.
The enemy, however, would not allow them this rest, ana
about 9.30 p.'m. a report was received that the 4th Guards
Brigade in Landrecies was heavily attacked by troops of the
9th German Army Corps, who were coming through the forest
on the north of the town. This brigade fought most gallantly,
and caused the enemy to suffer tremendous loss in issuing from
the forest into the narrow streets of the town. This loss has
been estimated from reliable sources at from 700 to 1,000. At
the same time information reached me from Sir Douglas Haig
that his 1st Division was also heavily engaged south and east
of Maroilles. I sent urgent messages to the Commander of the
two French Reserve Divisions on my right to come up to the
assistance of the First Corps, which they eventually did. Partly
owing to this assistance, but mainly to the skilful manner in
which Sir Douglas Haig extricated his Corps from an exceptio
nally difficult position in the darkness of the night, they were
able at dawn to resume their march south towards Wassigny
on Guise.
Bii about 6 p.m. the Second Corps had got into position
with their right on Le Cateau, their left in the neighbourhood
of Caudry, and the line of defence was continued thence by
the 4th Division towards Seranvillers, the left being thrown
back. (Zie schets 4).
In het hierboven onderstreepte „eventually" zit weer eenige
critiek, die in Engelsche tijdschriften weerklank vindt. Het komt
ons voor, dat ook in dit geval de Britsche bevelhebber zich niet
tot den juisten persoon om steun richtte.
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