The British Campaign In France And Flanders, 1915

General Books publication date: 2009 Original publication date: 1916 Original Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton Subjects: World War, 1914-1918 Campaigns Western World War, 1914-1918 History / Military / World War I History / World Notes: This is a black and white OCR reprint of the original. It has no illustrations and there may be typos or missing text. When you buy the General Books edition of this book you get free trial access to Million-Books.com where you can select from more than a million books for free. Excerpt: CHAPTER III THE BATTLE OF MONS The landing of the British in France -- The British leaders -- The advance to Mons -- The defence of the bridges of Nimy -- The holding of the canal -- The fateful telegram -- The rearguard actions of Frameries, Wasmes, and Dour -- The charge of the Lancers -- The fate of the Cheshires -- The 7th Brigade at Solesmes -- The Guards in action -- The Germans' rude awakening -- The Connaughts at Pont-sur- Sambre. Chapter The bulk of the British Expeditionary Force passed m- over to France under cover of darkness on the nights The Battle of August 12 and 13, 1914. The movement, which included four infantry divisions and a cavalry The division, necessitated the transportation of approxi- thedBDrftish mately 90,000 men, 15,000 horses, and 400 guns. in France. j js doubtful if so large a host has ever been moved by water in so short a time in all the annals of military history. There was drama in the secrecy and celerity of the affair. Two canvas walls converging into a funnel screened the approaches to Southampton Dock. All beyond was darkness and mystery. Down this fatal funnel passed the flower of the youth of Britain, and their folk saw them no more. They had embarked upon the great adventure of the German War. The crowds in the streets saw the last serried files vanish into the darkness of the docks, heard the measured tramp upon the stone quays dying fartheraway in the silence of the night, until at last al...