[18] Sir John French’s Preface to Cavalry in Future Wars, by General von Bernhardi.  By permission of Mr. John Murray.

[19] From Sir John French’s Introduction to Cavalry, by General F. von Bernhardi, by permission of Mr. Hugh Rees and Messrs. Hodder & Stoughton.

[20] From Sir John French’s Introduction to Cavalry, by General F. von Bernhardi, by permission of Mr. Hugh Rees and Messrs. Hodder & Stoughton.

CHAPTER XI

THE MODERN MARLBOROUGH

    Europe’s Need—­The Plight of France—­A Delicate
    Situation—­The Man of “Grip”—­A Magnificent Retreat.

On August 4, Great Britain woke up to find herself engaged in one of the most terrific contests in history.  Out of an assassination at Serajevo had sprung a European war.  In demanding apologies for the death of its Archduke, Austria-Hungary, with the connivance of Germany, refused to be conciliated with the most adequate apologies offered by Servia.  The result was a protest from Russia, which would doubtless have allayed the situation, but for the aggressive attitude dictated to Vienna from Berlin.  In the sequel Great Britain found herself arrayed with Russia and France against the Austro-Germanic forces.

The question arose as to who should lead the English expeditionary force so sorely needed to stem the tide of the German legions as it rolled over an outraged Belgium and an unprepared France.  There was never any doubt as to whom the great task should be entrusted.  Sir John French was obviously the man for the task.

[Page Heading:  A CAPABLE STAFF]

Fate pointed to him not only as the greatest active military leader in this country, but as the one man possessing the peculiar qualities called for in this campaign.  There may be more brilliant intellects in the army, but there is no other such leader of men.  This campaign was bound to be a long, a hazardous and a delicate enterprise.  It called for a man of extraordinary grip and pertinacity of purpose.  These qualities French possesses to a marked degree.  He has also the power of sensing ability in other men.  In South Africa he was able to surround himself with one of the ablest General Staffs in Europe.  French’s extraordinary rapidity of thought, his lightning decisions, and his masterly grip of the most complex situation, allied with lieutenants competent to undertake the most difficult operations which he may suggest, provides a combination probably unequalled in history.

In another respect French is peculiarly suited to the onerous task imposed upon him.  His innate sense of loyalty makes him a colleague of rare qualities.  On the face of it the British commander’s position called for very great tact.  It was delicate almost to a distressing degree.  Allied commanders have always to struggle with the teasing element of friction.  Sir John French eliminated that at the outset.  Even more difficult was the problem of seniority.  General Joffre, who is French’s superior, is his inferior in rank, not being a Field-Marshal.  Here was a situation teeming with difficulties.  The slightest clumsiness on the British Commander’s part would have caused a crisis.  There were no crises, because French is a diplomatist as well as a soldier.