Such was this battle of seven days in which almost 3,000,000 men were engaged.  If it is examined in its ensemble, it will be seen that each French army advanced step by step, opening up the road to the neighboring army, which immediately gave it support, and then striking at the flank of the enemy which the other attacked in front.  The efforts of the one were closely coordinated with the efforts of the other.  A deep unity of ideas, of methods, and of courage animated the whole Allied line.

[Illustration:  French and British allies rally to save Paris.

British infantry and London Scottish.  Destruction at Ypres, Lille, and Antwerp.  French armies

A military observer stationed in one of the many ruined chateaux in northern France.  The crumbling walls have been strengthened by sand bags]

[Illustration:  A remarkable photograph of an actual bayonet charge by French soldiers typical of the gallantry and spirit they display in action]

[Illustration:  A British naval brigade, sent to aid in the defense of Antwerp, holding a road at Lierre.  They are supported by a Maxim gun]

[Illustration:  The city of Lille, France, under fire.  During the Great War this city has suffered bombardment by both Allies and Germans]

[Illustration:  A remarkable photograph taken during the bombardment of Antwerp, showing the falling wall of a house that has been struck by a German shell]

[Illustration:  Drawn by R. Caton Woodville.  Fighting from house to house in Ypres, afterward but a ruin.  Because of its strategic position, Allies and Germans have battled repeatedly for its possession. ]

[Illustration:  Drawn by H. W. Koekkoek.  A village in the Argonne, occupied alternately by French and German troops in the autumn of 1914.  The French finally reported “a slight advance in the Argonne”]

[Illustration:  Drawn by R. Caton Woodville.  The London Scottish re-forming for a third charge, in which they succeeded in taking and occupying Messines October 31, 1914]

* * * * *

CHAPTER XIX

“Crossing the Aisne”

In order to gain a clear idea of what was involved in the feat of “crossing the Aisne,” which more than one expert has declared to be the greatest military feat in river crossing in the history of arms, it is well to look at the topography of that point, first in its relation to the whole German line, and, second, in its relation to possible attack in September, 1914.