Sunrise on Sunday morning, on a summer day in sunny France, was the setting for the grim and red carnage which should show in the next five consecutive days that the German advance was checked, that the southernmost point had been reached, and that for a long time to come it would tax the resources of the invaders to hold the land that already had been won.  General Joffre had so arranged his forces that the most spectacular—­and the easiest—­part fell to the British, and it was accomplished with perfection of detail.  But the honors of the battles of the Marne lay with General Sarrail’s army and with the “Iron Division of Toul.”

On the same morning, this special army order, issued by Sir John French, was read to the British troops: 

“After a most trying series of operations, mostly in retirement, which have been rendered necessary by the general strategic plan of the allied armies, the British forces stand to-day formed in line with their French comrades, ready to attack the enemy.  Foiled in their attempt to invest Paris, the Germans have been driven to move in an easterly and southeasterly direction with the apparent intention of falling in strength upon the Fifth French Army.  In this operation they are exposing their right flank and their line of communications to an attack from the combined Sixth French Army and the British forces.

“I call upon the British army in France to now show the enemy its power and to push on vigorously to the attack beside the Sixth French Army.

“I am sure I shall not call upon them in vain, but that, on the contrary, by another manifestation of the magnificent spirit which they have shown in the past fortnight, they will fall on the enemy’s flank with all their strength and, in unison with the Allies, drive them back.”

As before, the day’s fighting began with the efforts of the Sixth French Army against the Ourcq.  Before the Germans could be driven from the east bank the few villages they occupied on the west bank had to be taken, and as these were covered by heavy artillery from the farther bank, the French loss of life was very severe.  Yet these several combats—­of which there were as many as there were villages—­were stationary.  In every case the Germans were compelled to cross the river; in every case the artillery made it impossible for the French to follow them.

At dawn also everyone of the French armies advanced, and within two or three hours of sunrise found themselves engaged with the German front.  The spirited order to the troops issued that morning by General Joffre had left no doubt in the minds of Frenchmen on the importance of the issue.  It read: 

“At a moment when a battle on which the welfare of the country depends is going to begin, I feel it incumbent upon me to remind you all that this is no longer the time to look behind.  All our efforts must be directed toward attacking and driving back the enemy.  An army which can no longer advance must at all costs keep the ground it has won, and allow itself to be killed on the spot rather than give way.  In the present circumstance no faltering can be tolerated.”