“There was a great deal of hand-to-hand fighting and bayonet work on the Ourcq, which resulted in the terrible Magdeburg regiment beating a retreat.

“Monday night General von Kluck’s army had been thrown back from the Marne and from the Morin and to the region of Sezanne and his position was serious.  Immediate steps were necessary to save his line of communications and retreat.  To this end reinforcements were hurried north to the Meaux district and the Ourcq and tremendous efforts were made to break up the French resistance in this section.

GERMAN GUNS ARE SILENCED

“The second attempt on the Oureq shared the fate of the first.  Though all Monday night and well on into Tuesday the great German guns boomed along this river, the resistance of the allies could not be broken.  ‘Hold on!’ was the command and every man braced himself to obey.  While the Ourcq was being held the struggle of Sezanne was bearing fruit.

“The German resistance on Thursday morning was broken.  I heard the news in two ways:  from the silence of the German guns and from the wounded who poured down to the bases.

“The wounded men no longer were downhearted, but eager to rejoin the fray.  On every French lip was the exclamation that ’They are in full retreat!’ and ‘They are rushing back home!’ and in the same breath came generous recognition of the great help given by the British army.

“The number of wounded entailed colossal transportation work.  I counted fifteen trains in eight hours.  A fine, grim set of men, terribly weary but amiable, except for the officers.

GERMANS LEAVE SPOILS BEHIND

“The enemy crossed the Marne on the return journey north under great difficulties and beneath a withering fire from the British troops, who pursued them hotly.  The German artillery operated from a height.  There was again much hand-to-hand fighting and the river was swollen with dead.

“Tuesday night the British were in possession of La Ferte-sous-Jouarre and Chateau Thierry and the Germans had fallen back forty miles, leaving a long train of spoils behind them.

“On the same day, in the neighborhood of Vitry-le-Francois, the French troops achieved a victory.  Incidentally they drove back the famous Imperial Guard of Germany from Sezanne, toward the swamps of Saint Cond, where, a century ago, Napoleon achieved one of his last successes.  The main body of the guard passed to the north of the swamps, but I heard of men and horses engulfed and destroyed.

“‘It is our revenge for 1814,’ the French officers said.  ’If only the emperor were here to see.’

BRITISH KEEP UP PURSUIT

“Wednesday the English army continued the pursuit toward the north, taking guns and prisoners.

“On that day I found myself in a new France.  The good news had spread.  Girls threw flowers at the passing soldiers and joy was manifested everywhere.