De Groote Oorlog. [Feb. 1915.
Uit dat „vroeg in den morgen" zou men afleiden, dat die cavalerie
een nachtmarsch gemaakt had, wel het fnuikendste wat cavalerie
kan doen. Van Avesnes, ten N. waarvan die ruiterij den 24sten
tegen den avond ingekwartierd was, tot den uitersten linkervleugel
van de Britsche opstelling bij Séranvillers is de afstand hemelsbreed
ruim 46 K.M. Aangezien Gen. Sordêt zijne ruiterij achterom de
Britsche stelling zal hebben moeten voeren, zal zij heel wat meer
dan die 46 K. M. hebben afgelegd.
Van rechtstreekschen steun door andere Fransche troepen spreekt
het Rapport niet, hoewel in de mededeelingen van het Duitsche
Hoofdkwartier, die men straks zal lezen, wordt gesproken van „die
englische Armee, der sich drei französische Territorial-Divisionen i)
angeschlossen hatten", terwijl ir. het hiervoren geciteerde communi
qué staat „les lignes anglaises renforcées par des troupes framjaises".
At daybreak it became apparent that the enemy was throwing
the bulk of his strength against the left of the position occupied
by the Second Corps and the 4th Division.
At this time the guns of four German Army Corps were in
position against them, and Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien reported
to me that he judged it impossible to continue his retirement
at daybreak (as ordered) in face of such an attack.
1 sent him orders to use his utmost endeavours to break off
the action and retire at the earliest possible moment, as it was
impossible for me to send him any support, the First Corps
being at the moment incapable of movement.
d. w. z. het le korps trok maar steeds terug.
There had been no time to entrench the position properly, but
the troops showed a magnificent front to the terrible fire which
confronted them.
The artillery, although outmatched by at least four to one,
made a splendid fight, and inflicted heavy losses on their oppo
nents.
At length it became apparent that, if complete annihilation
was to be avoided, a retirement must be attempted; and the
order was given to commence it about 3.30 p.m. The move
ment was covered with the most devoted intrepidity and deter
mination by the Artillery, which had itself suffered heavily, and
the fine work done by the Cavalry in the further retreat from
1) Zal wel moeten gelezen worden: reserve-divisiën.
217
