THE RETREAT FROM MONS
Based on extracts from the Regimental Chronicles of The Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry Vol 24 1914-1915
August 24th.—(Paturages to Bavai, 10 miles.) It was 3 a.m. when we lay down on the pavement of Paturages square and slept. We were pretty tired, as we had been 24 hours under arms, with the exception of 2 hours halt at Genly. But we were allowed only an hour's sleep. At 4 a.m. we stood to, and were sent to a place south of Paturages, near La Bouverie, to take up a position to cover the retirement of those in front. It was not a first-rate place, as there was not a sufficiently long field of fire. Here we dug trenches, the men working well, in spite of yesterday's very hard day and lack of sleep.
At about 7.30 a.m. General Haking, commanding the 5th Infantry Brigade, sent for me, and told me that the 1st Division on our right had had their right flank turned (apparently owing to the retirement of the French), and had been obliged to retire. We also were ordered to retire, and take up a position near Sars la Bruyere, to cover the retirement of the 1st Division. The Worcestershire and the Highland Light Infantry, who were still holding the positions in front of us which they had taken up last night, were ordered to retire first, while we held the position we had entrenched as a rearguard.
These two regiments had been under shell-fire since dawn, and had lost a few men in the trenches which they had made in the dark. The task of getting away from these trenches under fire would not have been a very easy one, except for the fact that the houses of Paturages were close up to the trenches, so that the men were able to withdraw under cover pretty quickly. They got away without much loss, and apparently the Germans did not follow very rapidly, as we ourselves were able to get clear without firing a shot, after the two regiments had passed through us. A few shells were fired in our direction, but they did not come very near us.
Passing through Eugies, we got back to Sars la Bruyere at about 11 a.m., and were placed as a rearguard, with our right near that village, and our left (A and D Companies) on the western edge of the Bois de Montreuil.
The Highland Light Infantry continued our line on the right. A small party of
the Dorsetshire Regiment who had become detached from their own regiment during the retreat; came into our line in the Bois de Montreuil with a German prisoner— the first German we had seen. A party of the East Surrey Regiment also came in and joined us. The 3rd and 5th Divisions, being closely engaged with the enemy, seem to have had more difficulty in getting away than we had.
We remained in this position until 5 p.m., when we started off, still with the Regiment as rearguard. We were not closely followed. though we saw a few German cavalry We arrived at Bavai in the dark, and found a lot of troops here of both the 1st and IInd Corps. Eventually we reached a stubble field beyond the town, and there, at 10 p.m., dead tired, we bivouacked. We had been on our legs pretty continuously since yesterday morning. During the day our horses and transport rejoined us. The block on the road at times was very troublesome, there being, besides our troops, great numbers of Belgians, fleeing from the Germans—men, women, and children in crowds, some in wagons, some walking. Here, at Bavai, we are back in France again.
RETREAT TO LA FERE.
NARRATIVE
While it was still dark on the morning of the 25th August, the whole British Army moved southwards again towards the Le Cateau position, where the 4th Division (Snow) had already arrived from England. The so called Le Cateau position extended from Cambrai on the west, through Le Cateau,
to Landrecies on the east; and to reach this line the IInd Army Corps marched by the roads to the west of the Foret de Mormal, covered on the rear and west flank by the cavalry, while the 1st Army Corps moved by less direct routes to the east of the forest. The eastern roads, moreover, were used by countless civilian fugitives from Maubeuge and the neighbourhood, and, with the troops and transport, were in a perpetual state of block, so that the average rate of marching was barely two miles per hour. At nightfall the 1st Army Corps was scattered along the line Taisnieres - Maroilles -Landrecies, with the 5th Infantry Brigade holding the bridges and partly entrenched about Leval and Pont-sur-Sambre. Farther west than Landrecies it was found impossible to move any troops of the 1st Army Corps, owing to the exhausted condition of the men; there was, therefore, a gap of some ten miles between the left of the 1st Army Corps and the right of the IInd Army Corps at Le Cateau. From Le Cateau the latter Corps extended to Caudry, where it joined hands with the 4th Division, covering the flank as far west as Seranvillers. Throughout the day the enemy had
pursued rapidly and with vigour, pushing on his advanced troops in motor
vehicles, and continuously pressing the British rearguards, who, however, played their part with skill and determination. Small bodies of men were from time to time cut off, and stragglers were taken, but the British Army was still intact.
During the night both Landrecies and Maroilles were heavily attacked by Germans, who had pushed through the Foret de Mormal, but in each case they suffered severely and were repulsed. But the enemy was at this time preparing for his main attack farther to the west, and Sir John French,
aware of the weight that was being brought against his exposed left flank, and aware also of the fact that the 1st Army Corps was too far away to succour the IInd, determined to abandon the Le Cateau line and endeavour to effect a further retirement to a line running practically east and west through St. Quentin.
The right of the 1st Army Corps was now in touch with the retreating French
cavalry, who had halted for the night at Avesnes. As long, therefore, as the
British retirement kept pace with that of the French, the eastern flank was
fairly secure, and the French assisted in covering the retreat. Not so the
western flank, which was completely in the air and in peril of being
enveloped.
Some time before dawn of the 26th August the Brigades of the 1st Army Corps marched away south from their various halting-places; the roads were congested with troops and vehicles; and the Germans, probably realizing that they had nothing to fear from the IInd Army Corps eight or ten miles away on the west, pressed on in pursuit through Landrecies, attacked the 1st Brigade near Berques, and succeeded in cutting off and capturing nearly the whole of the Munster Fusiliers. The other Brigades were more fortunate, and by the evening the 1st Army Corps was in bivouac about Hannappes, Etreux, Oisy, and Barzy, the last-named place being reached by the two rearguard battalions of the 5th Brigade (Oxfords and Worcesters).
Meanwhile the IInd Army Corps was in imminent peril of being annihilated, and so certain was the German General Von Kluck of victory, that he sent a telegram to Berlin in which he announced that the whole British Army was encircled. As has been explained above, the enemy early in the morning drove a wedge in between the 1st and IInd Army Corps, and thus completely isolated the latter corps. Seven divisions were launched against Smith-Dorrien's three, and the hostile artillery was in a preponderance of at least four to one. There was no question of an immediate retirement, as the IInd Army Corps was pinned to the ground by the enemy's bombardment, and was forced to seek such shelter as was provided by hastily dug trenches. All the morning this bombardment continued without intermission, the British force suffering constant casualties. Our artillery, although outclassed and outnumbered, took a heavy toll of the German infantry forming for attack, but eventually was almost completely silenced.
About midday the enemy's infantry pressed in, and gradually forced back the British line. Some battalions, holding on too long, were cut off and captured. Yet the withdrawal of the IInd Army Corps was effected, and General Smith-Dorrien accomplished one of the most difficult tasks which a commander has ever had to face. Fortunately the enemy had been too
severely punished to pursue energetically for the time being, and the British
Divisions were able by nightfall to reach without further molestation Vermaud, Hargiecourt, and Estrees, Thus, on the night of the 26th, the two Army Corps were once again level, though still a considerable distance apart. The French had been unable to give assistance to their hard-pressed allies on this day, for although General Sordet at Avesnes had moved his Cavalry Corps westward in the morning, the horses were too tired to be brought into action.
The proposed line through St. Quentin was now adjudged to be too far forward on which to stand and fight an overwhelming enemy; so, on the 27th and 28th August, the two Army Corps continued their retreat, while the British and French cavalry kept the enemy at bay until, on the evening of the 28th, the whole British force became united on a line east and west of La Fere.
The pursuit having slackened, a much-needed rest was given to the jaded troops on the 29th, when Divisions were reorganized, and the British army was ready for further fighting. The French 6th Army came up on the British left, and their 5th Army on the British right.
August 25th.—(Bavai to Leval, 10 miles.) Up at 4 a.m., and started off southwards again. A very hot day, which made marching very trying for the
men, who were already tired oat. When we reached Pont-sur-Sambre we were told off for the defence of four bridges across the Sambre. D Company took Aymeries; A Company, Aulnoye; E company, the railway bridge at Berlaimont; and C Company, the railway bridge at Sassegnies. The Worcestershire were on our right, and the H.L.I, on our left, also defending the river. Regimental headquarters were close to the railway station at Aulnoye. All the companies made most excellent defences, and we hoped that the bridges would be attacked. However, at about 4 p.m. I received orders that the bridges at Aymeries and Aulnoye would be taken over by the French, of whom a Reserve Division had now turned up. The other two bridges were still to be held by B and C Companies, while A and D, after being relieved by the French, were to form an outpost line from Monceau to Leval,
There was some delay in the French taking over the two bridges, and we did not reach Leval (where we established headquarters) until after dark. D Company took up the right portion of the outposts near Monceau, and A Company the left, near Leval. During the early part of the night a constant stream of troops of our army, of all sorts—artillery, transport, etc,—passed through Leval, marching southwards.
At 10 p.m. an order came that the Brigade was to be ready to continue its march to the south at 1 a.m. A few minutes later, however, these orders were cancelled, and fresh orders told us to re-occupy the four bridges where we had entrenched during the day.
August 26th.- (Leval to Aymeries and thence to Barzy, 17 miles.) With D Company to be collected from a long outpost line, it took some time to move off. However, well before daylight arrived with A and D Companies at Aulnoye. Here we found the French, and there was some difficulty in getting through them, as we did not know their password; but, after a little, we succeeded in convincing them that we were not Germans. Curiously enough the officer in command had no orders to hand over the bridges to us. He was guarding the Aulnoye bridge in a very sketchy way, and when we went on to the Aymeries bridge we found that it had been left absolutely undefended, the officer professing ignorance of its existence.
Having deposited D Company at Aymeries, returned to Aulnoye, where we learned that fresh orders had arrived. It appears that the Germans had taken the bridge over the Sambre north of Maroilles, a little to the south of us, and the whole of the 5th Brigade was moving away southwards. We were ordered to collect the Regiment, and move south as quickly as possible, in order to rejoin the Brigade at Noyelles. It was evidently a case for rapid movement, as there certainly seemed to be a possibility of the Germans getting in between us and the remainder of the Brigade, though as things turned out the Germans did not, as a matter of fact move very quickly in this direction. Crosse (Adjutant), who had remained at Aulnoye had already sent instructions to B and C Companies to withdraw from their bridges and join us on the road back, so we started off at once from Aulnoye with A and D Companies.
We picked up B and C on the way, and found that Godsal and Button (both doing duty with B Company) had been wounded by fragments from the explosion caused by the blowing up of Berlaimont bridge by the French. The latter had told Wood (commanding B Company) of their intention to blow up the bridge, but with great carelessness had not informed him of the exact time. Button had a contusion in the lung, and Godsal a wound in the leg. One of the Regimental signallers (Giles) had also been hit in the groin with a rifle bullet during the night—the first man of the Regiment to be wounded. These three were put into a French motor ambulance and sent off.
Our 1st Line Transport was at Leval, and by sending a message forward we managed to get some water boiled, so that the men were able to have a very hasty breakfast—just time for a mug of tea and a little biscuit.
It was about 4.30 a.m. when we got back to Leval, and here received orders not to go to Noyelles, but to turn more east, through Taisnieres and Marbaix. Soon after leaving Leval, we caught up the Brigade. The Connaught Rangers were on rearguard, and we went on through them. A lot of French troops were also on the march southwards, some on the same road as ourselves, others on adjacent roads, and near Taisnieres we had a very long wait while some of them passed us. A good deal of firing could be heard in the direction of Landrecies, where the 4th and 6th Brigades were engaged, but in our direction the Germans did not appear to be following very closely.
Farther on we had another very long halt, on the high ground north-east of Le Grand Fayt, while a considerable number of French troops, both infantry and artillery, passed us. Here we got orders to go on to Barzy and bivouac there. The Worcestershire and ourselves arrived at Barzy a little before dark, but could find no trace of the other two regiments or of Brigade Headquarters. In drizzling rain we settled down into bivouac in an orchard.
The CO got to sleep about 10 p.m., but at midnight was woken up by Westmacott (commanding the Worcestershire), who had received information from the French, who ought to have been on our right (east) flank, that they were all retiring, while at the same time news came from a Connaught Ranger officer that his regiment had been attacked on the march in the evening, and had lost a lot of men. In the absence of the Brigadier, whom we could not find, Westmacott, who was the next senior officer, thought that we should not remain at Barzy (which was not a place that lent itself to defence), but should march to Boue, and try to pick up news of Brigade or Divisional Headquarters.
August 27th.—(Barzy, via Boue and Etreux, to Neuvillette, 22 miles.) Accordingly we marched at about 2 a.m., and at dawn arrived at Boue, where we found French troops retiring through the village. We got what information, we could from the French General, but this amounted to very little. While Westmacott and the CO were thus endeavouring to collect information, our two regiments were got into a field, where they were able to make some tea, and so have a sort of breakfast.
General Haking and his Staff now turned up, having apparently been with the Highland Light Infantry, only a little way off us, at Barzy. From General Haking I learned that the Connaught Rangers had had rather a severe rearguard action yesterday, and had lost a good many men. They seem to
have lost touch with the remainder of the Brigade—which might easily have
happened, owing to the great number of French troops marching on the same road.
On arrival at Boue the C.O. had sent Worthington on to Etreux to discover if Divisional Headquarters were there. He found them there, and brought back orders that we were to move on to Etreux as quickly as possible. At Etreux we got our day's rations, and were soon on the move again southwards, marching through Guise. We passed through the town, and thought that we should halt a little beyond it, but we had many miles to go yet. Crossing the hills a little farther on, we got soaked by a very heavy storm of rain, which increased the weight of the men's packs considerably; but the sun came out afterwards, and by the time we reached our destination we were fairly dry. Passing through Mont d'Origny, we turned to the right to Neuvillette, where we; arrived with everyone dead beat from fatigue and want of sleep. We billeted in the houses, but had to find outposts on the hills overlooking the village. At midnight we were woken up, and given orders to get all our baggage packed, and our train wagons sent off at once. We ourselves were ordered to be ready to move at 4 a.m., so we were able to get a little more sleep.
August 28th—Neuvillette to Servais, 20 miles.) Up at 3 a.m., and had breakfast. When we were all ready to move, fresh orders came that we were to stand fast for the present. Eventually, the other regiments of the Brigade moved off, but we ourselves were left behind, on the hill above the village, to act as a flank guard, while the other troops, chiefly of the 1st Division, passed through the village. Afterwards we received orders to leave two companies behind as a flank guard, to be eventually relieved by 1st Division troops, and then to come on with the other two companies. B and D, under Wood, were the companies left behind, and we moved off at 10 a.m. with A and C Companies. There was much difficulty in moving along the road, as we had to go through a lot of artillery before reaching our brigade. The 1st Division being on the same road also added to our difficulties The sun was extremely hot, and the men dead tired. We were obliged to have a halt after every half-hour's marching, and to allow much more water than usual to be drunk. It was the only way of getting
along. Many men were limping badly, but they stuck to it splendidly. On one
occasion we halted close to some apple trees, and I allowed the men to eat the apples, which helped them on a good deal. We passed through La Fere, and hoped that we were to billet there, but we had to go still farther, and only reached our bivouac at Servais just at dark. We had marched 59 miles in the last 64 hours, beginning the march in the middle of an entirely sleepless night, and getting no more than eight hours' sleep altogether during the other two nights.
Many men could hardly put one leg before another, yet they all came into Servais singing. B and D Companies did not arrive until long after dark, but they also marched in singing. Wood had hired a French wagon at one of the villages, and loaded it up with the packs of the men who were most tired, by doing which he was able to get them along well. They had, of course, a harder time than had A and C Companies.
August 29th.—(Servais.) A very welcome day of rest, though lying out in a bare stubble field under a most fierce sun did not make it as good a rest as it might have been, but it was certainly better than no rest at all. We were now told to make arrangements to relieve the men of their greatcoats, so the wagon hired by Wood was used to convey most of the coats when we moved off again, the men to carry waterproof sheets instead.
THE END OF THE RETREAT.
From the 29th August the British Commander-in-Chief was freed of anxiety for his flanks, since General Joffre had moved up a French army on either side of the British force; but he was not without anxiety for the safety of his lines of communication with Havre. He had already evacuated Amiens, into which a German division had moved at once, and he now changed his base to St. Nazaire, with an advance base at Le Mans. The enemy's advance was still pushed with great vigour; but, although the two French Army Corps in the eastern theatre had gained a complete victory over three German Corps, General Joffre decided to continue the retreat of the Allied forces to the line of the Marne, with the intention of drawing the enemy on until the situation should become favourable for assuming the offensive. Accordingly, on the 30th August, the troops resumed their march to the south, and on the 31st reached a line running approximately through Crepy and Villers-Cotterets. Cavalry engagements and rearguard actions were frequent and on the 1st September, near Villers-Cotterets, the 4th (Guards') Brigade was heavily attacked, as was also the 1st Cavalry Brigade at Nery, where L Battery R.H.A. fought its memorable fight.
On the 2nd September the British force reached the north bank of the Marne, and the 3rd was occupied in crossing to the south bank, when the bridges were blown up, and the troops got into position between Lagny and
Signy-Signets. A march of another twelve miles to the south brought the British on the 5th September to the line from which it turned about to take part in the great offensive which General Joffre now launched.
Shortly before this, air reconnaissances had discovered what appeared to be a change in the enemy's plans; the direct advance on Paris was suspended, and his main columns changed their direction to the south-east, possibly with the intention of breaking the Allies' line between Chateau Thierry and Vitry-le-Francois. On the 5th September it was found that some of the
German columns had halted on the River Ourcq, while others had crossed the River Marne between Chagnis and Mezy. Large bodies of troops were seen to be converging on Montmirail, and others had established themselves about Coulommiers, Rebais, La Ferte-Gaucher, and Dagny.
Lieut.-Colonel Davies's (Commanding Officers) Diary Continued.
August 30th.—(Servais to Terny, 15 miles.) We were on the move again at 4.30 a.m., continuing the retirement. A very hot and tiring march, with many halts and blocks on the road, but the men much relieved by having their greatcoats carried for them. Through Barisis and Coucy-le-Chateau to
Terny (about 5 miles north of Soissons), arriving at 5 p.m., and bivouacking in a field close to the village. We were able to requisition and cook some potatoes, which were most welcome.
August 3lst.—(Terny to Laversine,15 miles.) Off again south at 5 a.m., skirting Soissons, crossing the Aisne at Pommiers, then turning westward
along the river, and finally south again up a side valley to Laversine. Arrived at 1.30 p.m. A very shut-in place, entailing a lot of outposts. C Company and part of B on outposts. We had our baggage-wagons here for a short time, but in the evening they were ordered to go on ahead again. There was a little stream in the valley, and many men were able to get a wash.
September 1st.—(Laversine to Cuvergnon, 17 miles.) An early start.
We were on the move in the dark by 2.30 a.m. On the march we drew our supplies at Boursonne, and at about noon had a long halt of 2 ½ hours or more, for dinner, a little beyond. We passed through large woods both
north and south of Villers Cotterets, through which town we also passed.
In the afternoon we arrived at Cuvergnon, and soon afterwards news arrived that the 4th (Guards') Brigade, who were doing rearguard, had been heavily engaged in the woods north of Villers Cotterets. We at first got orders that the 5th Brigade was to advance and join in the fight, but before we had moved fresh news came that the fight was over, and that we were to entrench a position where we were (at Cuvergnon). This we accordingly did, and we remained in the trenches all night, though no Germans came near us. The 4th Brigade retired through us in the evening. They had had a pretty stiff fight in the woods, and had had some losses, but had also killed a good many Germans.
September 2nd.—(Cuvergnon to Chauconin, near Meaux, 20 miles.) We and the Worcestershire were rearguard today, the Worcestershire being in
rear of us. We did not get off until 7.45 a.m. as there was much transport to get clear of Betz before we could move. Our road led through Betz.
Acy-en-Multien, Etrepilly, and Chambry. We saw no enemy, and the 4th Cavalry Brigade behind us covering our rear saw only cavalry patrols.
This was one of the worst marches we had. The 1st Line Transport, had to be sent off the night before, and as in the early morning we were standing to arms in the trenches, it was not possible to get any tea, so our breakfast was biscuit and water. The sun was very hot indeed, and after a few miles it began to tell on the men. Several fell down unconscious from heat stroke, and others were quite unable to keep up. We had no ambulances and no transport, but some of the worst cases were taken on by the artillery who were with us.
Our orders were to hurry on as quickly as possible, the reason of this being, I believe, so as not to keep back the cavalry, as it seems to have been expected that the Germans would press in on the rear, I went to the Brigadier, and told him that too much hurrying would result in our leaving a number of men on the road. I pointed out that it was not a question of unwillingness on the men's part, but simply their inability to march fast with empty stomachs under a hot sun, after all the previous hard marching they had done, and on the top of a night in the trenches with little if any sleep. The Brigadier quite agreed with me, but said that the orders were to push on as quickly as possible. However, he gave us one or two halts, which saved us a good deal; and, fortunately, between Etrepilly and Chambry, we came up with our 1st Line Transport, when we found that Brett (Transport Officer) had, with great foresight, made tea for the whole Regiment. This really saved us. We were allowed half an hour (which was subsequently extended to three quarters), and after some tea, with something to eat, the Regiment marched excellently—well closed up in their fours, and in good spirits.
Near the end of the march we passed the 6th Brigade in bivouac. This was the first that we had seen of them since leaving Aldershot, although, being in the same Division as ourselves, they had probably never been far from us. We bivouacked at 6.30 p.m. in a pleasant field, just below a chateau, at
Chauconin.
September 3rd.—(Chauconin to Petit Courrois, 14 miles.) An early start. We were off in the dark at 3 a.m., and passed through the town of Meaux, which seemed very deserted except for troops. From here we turned eastward through Trilport and Montceaux, then south-east through Pierre Levee to Petit Courrois, where we arrived in the middle of the day. Beyond finding some outposts, we had nothing to do, and were able to get a good rest. The 1st Division are to the north of us, nearer the Marne, about La Ferte. D Company, on outpost to the east, had a good deal of bother along the road, stopping French Staff officers in cars, Belgian fugitives on bicycles, and local fugitives on foot, any of whom might have been spies.
September 4th.—(Petit Courrois to Le Fay, 9 ½ miles.) The 1st Division and one of the Cavalry Brigades moved off southwards, from La Ferte, across our front, in the morning. Reports came in that the bridge, or one
of the bridges, over the Marne at La Ferte had been only partially destroyed, and that some German infantry were crossing by it to the south bank. As the 1st Division had by this time passed through, I was ordered, at about 10 a.m., to take the Regiment out to act as outposts and rearguard in the direction of La Ferte, with orders that, in case the enemy advanced I was to make some resistance, but to retire before becoming seriously engaged.
I put A Company out about L'Hotel des Bois, where they had a good field of fire.
Back at La Fringale (where I had Regimental Headquarters) were C on the left of the road, and half B on the right. The remainder of B were to the south of this, facing east, while D remained in a fire position at Le Petit
Courrois.
The enemy, however, instead of advancing in our direction, were marching away eastward, on the road to Montmirail. We could see big columns of them moving along this road for a considerable time.
In the afternoon I received orders to move back on Le Petit Courrois at 5 p.m., and then form a rearguard to the Brigade, who were marching by night through or near Giremontiers.
When we began to withdraw from La Fringale we were followed by a few German cavalry, two of whom stupidly rode right on to the tail of our rearguard and were captured by A Company, after one of their horses had been shot. A few more followed the Regimental Scouts, who were covering our left flank, and who also shot a horse and got a prisoner. They belonged to the Death's Head Hussars.
Except for this, our withdrawal was quite undisturbed. We left Le Petit Courrois at 7.30 p.m., and followed up the rest of the Brigade, through Le Gros Chene and Pre-aux-Rats, to the vicinity of Le Charnois, where we
arrived at 1 a.m. (5th September), and after having something to eat, bivouacked in a stubble field at the farm of Le Fay.
Our 1st Reinforcement of 90 men, under Turbutt (3rd Battalion), joined us here.
September 5th.—(Le Fay to Champlet, 9 miles.) Our Brigade was rearguard again but, as usually happened when we were on rearguard, we saw no enemy. We crossed the Morin at Tresmes, and thence we marched through Faremoutiers to Hautefeuille, and southwards to Lumigny. After a long halt here in a scorching sun, we went into bivouac in a large avenue at Champlet, close to Lumigny, while the remainder of the Brigade billeted in Marles. A and C Companies were on outposts, facing north on the Marles-Lumigny road, the line being carried on on the left by the Connaught Rangers, and on the right, on a line rather farther back, by the Scots Guards, of the 1st Division. A quiet night, except for some firing once—the result of a supposed visit to our outposts of a German cavalry patrol.
Extract from the Diary or Major A. J. F. Eden, Commanding C company.
In the last 16 days we have marched 227 miles, and I have had 45 hours' sleep (excluding the rest day, when some of us managed 8 or 10 solid hours). The actual distance of the march since the retirement began is 173 miles in 12 marching days.
Based on extracts from the Regimental Chronicles of The Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry Vol 24 1914-1915
August 24th.—(Paturages to Bavai, 10 miles.) It was 3 a.m. when we lay down on the pavement of Paturages square and slept. We were pretty tired, as we had been 24 hours under arms, with the exception of 2 hours halt at Genly. But we were allowed only an hour's sleep. At 4 a.m. we stood to, and were sent to a place south of Paturages, near La Bouverie, to take up a position to cover the retirement of those in front. It was not a first-rate place, as there was not a sufficiently long field of fire. Here we dug trenches, the men working well, in spite of yesterday's very hard day and lack of sleep.
At about 7.30 a.m. General Haking, commanding the 5th Infantry Brigade, sent for me, and told me that the 1st Division on our right had had their right flank turned (apparently owing to the retirement of the French), and had been obliged to retire. We also were ordered to retire, and take up a position near Sars la Bruyere, to cover the retirement of the 1st Division. The Worcestershire and the Highland Light Infantry, who were still holding the positions in front of us which they had taken up last night, were ordered to retire first, while we held the position we had entrenched as a rearguard.
These two regiments had been under shell-fire since dawn, and had lost a few men in the trenches which they had made in the dark. The task of getting away from these trenches under fire would not have been a very easy one, except for the fact that the houses of Paturages were close up to the trenches, so that the men were able to withdraw under cover pretty quickly. They got away without much loss, and apparently the Germans did not follow very rapidly, as we ourselves were able to get clear without firing a shot, after the two regiments had passed through us. A few shells were fired in our direction, but they did not come very near us.
Passing through Eugies, we got back to Sars la Bruyere at about 11 a.m., and were placed as a rearguard, with our right near that village, and our left (A and D Companies) on the western edge of the Bois de Montreuil.
The Highland Light Infantry continued our line on the right. A small party of
the Dorsetshire Regiment who had become detached from their own regiment during the retreat; came into our line in the Bois de Montreuil with a German prisoner— the first German we had seen. A party of the East Surrey Regiment also came in and joined us. The 3rd and 5th Divisions, being closely engaged with the enemy, seem to have had more difficulty in getting away than we had.
We remained in this position until 5 p.m., when we started off, still with the Regiment as rearguard. We were not closely followed. though we saw a few German cavalry We arrived at Bavai in the dark, and found a lot of troops here of both the 1st and IInd Corps. Eventually we reached a stubble field beyond the town, and there, at 10 p.m., dead tired, we bivouacked. We had been on our legs pretty continuously since yesterday morning. During the day our horses and transport rejoined us. The block on the road at times was very troublesome, there being, besides our troops, great numbers of Belgians, fleeing from the Germans—men, women, and children in crowds, some in wagons, some walking. Here, at Bavai, we are back in France again.
RETREAT TO LA FERE.
NARRATIVE
While it was still dark on the morning of the 25th August, the whole British Army moved southwards again towards the Le Cateau position, where the 4th Division (Snow) had already arrived from England. The so called Le Cateau position extended from Cambrai on the west, through Le Cateau,
to Landrecies on the east; and to reach this line the IInd Army Corps marched by the roads to the west of the Foret de Mormal, covered on the rear and west flank by the cavalry, while the 1st Army Corps moved by less direct routes to the east of the forest. The eastern roads, moreover, were used by countless civilian fugitives from Maubeuge and the neighbourhood, and, with the troops and transport, were in a perpetual state of block, so that the average rate of marching was barely two miles per hour. At nightfall the 1st Army Corps was scattered along the line Taisnieres - Maroilles -Landrecies, with the 5th Infantry Brigade holding the bridges and partly entrenched about Leval and Pont-sur-Sambre. Farther west than Landrecies it was found impossible to move any troops of the 1st Army Corps, owing to the exhausted condition of the men; there was, therefore, a gap of some ten miles between the left of the 1st Army Corps and the right of the IInd Army Corps at Le Cateau. From Le Cateau the latter Corps extended to Caudry, where it joined hands with the 4th Division, covering the flank as far west as Seranvillers. Throughout the day the enemy had
pursued rapidly and with vigour, pushing on his advanced troops in motor
vehicles, and continuously pressing the British rearguards, who, however, played their part with skill and determination. Small bodies of men were from time to time cut off, and stragglers were taken, but the British Army was still intact.
During the night both Landrecies and Maroilles were heavily attacked by Germans, who had pushed through the Foret de Mormal, but in each case they suffered severely and were repulsed. But the enemy was at this time preparing for his main attack farther to the west, and Sir John French,
aware of the weight that was being brought against his exposed left flank, and aware also of the fact that the 1st Army Corps was too far away to succour the IInd, determined to abandon the Le Cateau line and endeavour to effect a further retirement to a line running practically east and west through St. Quentin.
The right of the 1st Army Corps was now in touch with the retreating French
cavalry, who had halted for the night at Avesnes. As long, therefore, as the
British retirement kept pace with that of the French, the eastern flank was
fairly secure, and the French assisted in covering the retreat. Not so the
western flank, which was completely in the air and in peril of being
enveloped.
Some time before dawn of the 26th August the Brigades of the 1st Army Corps marched away south from their various halting-places; the roads were congested with troops and vehicles; and the Germans, probably realizing that they had nothing to fear from the IInd Army Corps eight or ten miles away on the west, pressed on in pursuit through Landrecies, attacked the 1st Brigade near Berques, and succeeded in cutting off and capturing nearly the whole of the Munster Fusiliers. The other Brigades were more fortunate, and by the evening the 1st Army Corps was in bivouac about Hannappes, Etreux, Oisy, and Barzy, the last-named place being reached by the two rearguard battalions of the 5th Brigade (Oxfords and Worcesters).
Meanwhile the IInd Army Corps was in imminent peril of being annihilated, and so certain was the German General Von Kluck of victory, that he sent a telegram to Berlin in which he announced that the whole British Army was encircled. As has been explained above, the enemy early in the morning drove a wedge in between the 1st and IInd Army Corps, and thus completely isolated the latter corps. Seven divisions were launched against Smith-Dorrien's three, and the hostile artillery was in a preponderance of at least four to one. There was no question of an immediate retirement, as the IInd Army Corps was pinned to the ground by the enemy's bombardment, and was forced to seek such shelter as was provided by hastily dug trenches. All the morning this bombardment continued without intermission, the British force suffering constant casualties. Our artillery, although outclassed and outnumbered, took a heavy toll of the German infantry forming for attack, but eventually was almost completely silenced.
About midday the enemy's infantry pressed in, and gradually forced back the British line. Some battalions, holding on too long, were cut off and captured. Yet the withdrawal of the IInd Army Corps was effected, and General Smith-Dorrien accomplished one of the most difficult tasks which a commander has ever had to face. Fortunately the enemy had been too
severely punished to pursue energetically for the time being, and the British
Divisions were able by nightfall to reach without further molestation Vermaud, Hargiecourt, and Estrees, Thus, on the night of the 26th, the two Army Corps were once again level, though still a considerable distance apart. The French had been unable to give assistance to their hard-pressed allies on this day, for although General Sordet at Avesnes had moved his Cavalry Corps westward in the morning, the horses were too tired to be brought into action.
The proposed line through St. Quentin was now adjudged to be too far forward on which to stand and fight an overwhelming enemy; so, on the 27th and 28th August, the two Army Corps continued their retreat, while the British and French cavalry kept the enemy at bay until, on the evening of the 28th, the whole British force became united on a line east and west of La Fere.
The pursuit having slackened, a much-needed rest was given to the jaded troops on the 29th, when Divisions were reorganized, and the British army was ready for further fighting. The French 6th Army came up on the British left, and their 5th Army on the British right.
August 25th.—(Bavai to Leval, 10 miles.) Up at 4 a.m., and started off southwards again. A very hot day, which made marching very trying for the
men, who were already tired oat. When we reached Pont-sur-Sambre we were told off for the defence of four bridges across the Sambre. D Company took Aymeries; A Company, Aulnoye; E company, the railway bridge at Berlaimont; and C Company, the railway bridge at Sassegnies. The Worcestershire were on our right, and the H.L.I, on our left, also defending the river. Regimental headquarters were close to the railway station at Aulnoye. All the companies made most excellent defences, and we hoped that the bridges would be attacked. However, at about 4 p.m. I received orders that the bridges at Aymeries and Aulnoye would be taken over by the French, of whom a Reserve Division had now turned up. The other two bridges were still to be held by B and C Companies, while A and D, after being relieved by the French, were to form an outpost line from Monceau to Leval,
There was some delay in the French taking over the two bridges, and we did not reach Leval (where we established headquarters) until after dark. D Company took up the right portion of the outposts near Monceau, and A Company the left, near Leval. During the early part of the night a constant stream of troops of our army, of all sorts—artillery, transport, etc,—passed through Leval, marching southwards.
At 10 p.m. an order came that the Brigade was to be ready to continue its march to the south at 1 a.m. A few minutes later, however, these orders were cancelled, and fresh orders told us to re-occupy the four bridges where we had entrenched during the day.
August 26th.- (Leval to Aymeries and thence to Barzy, 17 miles.) With D Company to be collected from a long outpost line, it took some time to move off. However, well before daylight arrived with A and D Companies at Aulnoye. Here we found the French, and there was some difficulty in getting through them, as we did not know their password; but, after a little, we succeeded in convincing them that we were not Germans. Curiously enough the officer in command had no orders to hand over the bridges to us. He was guarding the Aulnoye bridge in a very sketchy way, and when we went on to the Aymeries bridge we found that it had been left absolutely undefended, the officer professing ignorance of its existence.
Having deposited D Company at Aymeries, returned to Aulnoye, where we learned that fresh orders had arrived. It appears that the Germans had taken the bridge over the Sambre north of Maroilles, a little to the south of us, and the whole of the 5th Brigade was moving away southwards. We were ordered to collect the Regiment, and move south as quickly as possible, in order to rejoin the Brigade at Noyelles. It was evidently a case for rapid movement, as there certainly seemed to be a possibility of the Germans getting in between us and the remainder of the Brigade, though as things turned out the Germans did not, as a matter of fact move very quickly in this direction. Crosse (Adjutant), who had remained at Aulnoye had already sent instructions to B and C Companies to withdraw from their bridges and join us on the road back, so we started off at once from Aulnoye with A and D Companies.
We picked up B and C on the way, and found that Godsal and Button (both doing duty with B Company) had been wounded by fragments from the explosion caused by the blowing up of Berlaimont bridge by the French. The latter had told Wood (commanding B Company) of their intention to blow up the bridge, but with great carelessness had not informed him of the exact time. Button had a contusion in the lung, and Godsal a wound in the leg. One of the Regimental signallers (Giles) had also been hit in the groin with a rifle bullet during the night—the first man of the Regiment to be wounded. These three were put into a French motor ambulance and sent off.
Our 1st Line Transport was at Leval, and by sending a message forward we managed to get some water boiled, so that the men were able to have a very hasty breakfast—just time for a mug of tea and a little biscuit.
It was about 4.30 a.m. when we got back to Leval, and here received orders not to go to Noyelles, but to turn more east, through Taisnieres and Marbaix. Soon after leaving Leval, we caught up the Brigade. The Connaught Rangers were on rearguard, and we went on through them. A lot of French troops were also on the march southwards, some on the same road as ourselves, others on adjacent roads, and near Taisnieres we had a very long wait while some of them passed us. A good deal of firing could be heard in the direction of Landrecies, where the 4th and 6th Brigades were engaged, but in our direction the Germans did not appear to be following very closely.
Farther on we had another very long halt, on the high ground north-east of Le Grand Fayt, while a considerable number of French troops, both infantry and artillery, passed us. Here we got orders to go on to Barzy and bivouac there. The Worcestershire and ourselves arrived at Barzy a little before dark, but could find no trace of the other two regiments or of Brigade Headquarters. In drizzling rain we settled down into bivouac in an orchard.
The CO got to sleep about 10 p.m., but at midnight was woken up by Westmacott (commanding the Worcestershire), who had received information from the French, who ought to have been on our right (east) flank, that they were all retiring, while at the same time news came from a Connaught Ranger officer that his regiment had been attacked on the march in the evening, and had lost a lot of men. In the absence of the Brigadier, whom we could not find, Westmacott, who was the next senior officer, thought that we should not remain at Barzy (which was not a place that lent itself to defence), but should march to Boue, and try to pick up news of Brigade or Divisional Headquarters.
August 27th.—(Barzy, via Boue and Etreux, to Neuvillette, 22 miles.) Accordingly we marched at about 2 a.m., and at dawn arrived at Boue, where we found French troops retiring through the village. We got what information, we could from the French General, but this amounted to very little. While Westmacott and the CO were thus endeavouring to collect information, our two regiments were got into a field, where they were able to make some tea, and so have a sort of breakfast.
General Haking and his Staff now turned up, having apparently been with the Highland Light Infantry, only a little way off us, at Barzy. From General Haking I learned that the Connaught Rangers had had rather a severe rearguard action yesterday, and had lost a good many men. They seem to
have lost touch with the remainder of the Brigade—which might easily have
happened, owing to the great number of French troops marching on the same road.
On arrival at Boue the C.O. had sent Worthington on to Etreux to discover if Divisional Headquarters were there. He found them there, and brought back orders that we were to move on to Etreux as quickly as possible. At Etreux we got our day's rations, and were soon on the move again southwards, marching through Guise. We passed through the town, and thought that we should halt a little beyond it, but we had many miles to go yet. Crossing the hills a little farther on, we got soaked by a very heavy storm of rain, which increased the weight of the men's packs considerably; but the sun came out afterwards, and by the time we reached our destination we were fairly dry. Passing through Mont d'Origny, we turned to the right to Neuvillette, where we; arrived with everyone dead beat from fatigue and want of sleep. We billeted in the houses, but had to find outposts on the hills overlooking the village. At midnight we were woken up, and given orders to get all our baggage packed, and our train wagons sent off at once. We ourselves were ordered to be ready to move at 4 a.m., so we were able to get a little more sleep.
August 28th—Neuvillette to Servais, 20 miles.) Up at 3 a.m., and had breakfast. When we were all ready to move, fresh orders came that we were to stand fast for the present. Eventually, the other regiments of the Brigade moved off, but we ourselves were left behind, on the hill above the village, to act as a flank guard, while the other troops, chiefly of the 1st Division, passed through the village. Afterwards we received orders to leave two companies behind as a flank guard, to be eventually relieved by 1st Division troops, and then to come on with the other two companies. B and D, under Wood, were the companies left behind, and we moved off at 10 a.m. with A and C Companies. There was much difficulty in moving along the road, as we had to go through a lot of artillery before reaching our brigade. The 1st Division being on the same road also added to our difficulties The sun was extremely hot, and the men dead tired. We were obliged to have a halt after every half-hour's marching, and to allow much more water than usual to be drunk. It was the only way of getting
along. Many men were limping badly, but they stuck to it splendidly. On one
occasion we halted close to some apple trees, and I allowed the men to eat the apples, which helped them on a good deal. We passed through La Fere, and hoped that we were to billet there, but we had to go still farther, and only reached our bivouac at Servais just at dark. We had marched 59 miles in the last 64 hours, beginning the march in the middle of an entirely sleepless night, and getting no more than eight hours' sleep altogether during the other two nights.
Many men could hardly put one leg before another, yet they all came into Servais singing. B and D Companies did not arrive until long after dark, but they also marched in singing. Wood had hired a French wagon at one of the villages, and loaded it up with the packs of the men who were most tired, by doing which he was able to get them along well. They had, of course, a harder time than had A and C Companies.
August 29th.—(Servais.) A very welcome day of rest, though lying out in a bare stubble field under a most fierce sun did not make it as good a rest as it might have been, but it was certainly better than no rest at all. We were now told to make arrangements to relieve the men of their greatcoats, so the wagon hired by Wood was used to convey most of the coats when we moved off again, the men to carry waterproof sheets instead.
THE END OF THE RETREAT.
From the 29th August the British Commander-in-Chief was freed of anxiety for his flanks, since General Joffre had moved up a French army on either side of the British force; but he was not without anxiety for the safety of his lines of communication with Havre. He had already evacuated Amiens, into which a German division had moved at once, and he now changed his base to St. Nazaire, with an advance base at Le Mans. The enemy's advance was still pushed with great vigour; but, although the two French Army Corps in the eastern theatre had gained a complete victory over three German Corps, General Joffre decided to continue the retreat of the Allied forces to the line of the Marne, with the intention of drawing the enemy on until the situation should become favourable for assuming the offensive. Accordingly, on the 30th August, the troops resumed their march to the south, and on the 31st reached a line running approximately through Crepy and Villers-Cotterets. Cavalry engagements and rearguard actions were frequent and on the 1st September, near Villers-Cotterets, the 4th (Guards') Brigade was heavily attacked, as was also the 1st Cavalry Brigade at Nery, where L Battery R.H.A. fought its memorable fight.
On the 2nd September the British force reached the north bank of the Marne, and the 3rd was occupied in crossing to the south bank, when the bridges were blown up, and the troops got into position between Lagny and
Signy-Signets. A march of another twelve miles to the south brought the British on the 5th September to the line from which it turned about to take part in the great offensive which General Joffre now launched.
Shortly before this, air reconnaissances had discovered what appeared to be a change in the enemy's plans; the direct advance on Paris was suspended, and his main columns changed their direction to the south-east, possibly with the intention of breaking the Allies' line between Chateau Thierry and Vitry-le-Francois. On the 5th September it was found that some of the
German columns had halted on the River Ourcq, while others had crossed the River Marne between Chagnis and Mezy. Large bodies of troops were seen to be converging on Montmirail, and others had established themselves about Coulommiers, Rebais, La Ferte-Gaucher, and Dagny.
Lieut.-Colonel Davies's (Commanding Officers) Diary Continued.
August 30th.—(Servais to Terny, 15 miles.) We were on the move again at 4.30 a.m., continuing the retirement. A very hot and tiring march, with many halts and blocks on the road, but the men much relieved by having their greatcoats carried for them. Through Barisis and Coucy-le-Chateau to
Terny (about 5 miles north of Soissons), arriving at 5 p.m., and bivouacking in a field close to the village. We were able to requisition and cook some potatoes, which were most welcome.
August 3lst.—(Terny to Laversine,15 miles.) Off again south at 5 a.m., skirting Soissons, crossing the Aisne at Pommiers, then turning westward
along the river, and finally south again up a side valley to Laversine. Arrived at 1.30 p.m. A very shut-in place, entailing a lot of outposts. C Company and part of B on outposts. We had our baggage-wagons here for a short time, but in the evening they were ordered to go on ahead again. There was a little stream in the valley, and many men were able to get a wash.
September 1st.—(Laversine to Cuvergnon, 17 miles.) An early start.
We were on the move in the dark by 2.30 a.m. On the march we drew our supplies at Boursonne, and at about noon had a long halt of 2 ½ hours or more, for dinner, a little beyond. We passed through large woods both
north and south of Villers Cotterets, through which town we also passed.
In the afternoon we arrived at Cuvergnon, and soon afterwards news arrived that the 4th (Guards') Brigade, who were doing rearguard, had been heavily engaged in the woods north of Villers Cotterets. We at first got orders that the 5th Brigade was to advance and join in the fight, but before we had moved fresh news came that the fight was over, and that we were to entrench a position where we were (at Cuvergnon). This we accordingly did, and we remained in the trenches all night, though no Germans came near us. The 4th Brigade retired through us in the evening. They had had a pretty stiff fight in the woods, and had had some losses, but had also killed a good many Germans.
September 2nd.—(Cuvergnon to Chauconin, near Meaux, 20 miles.) We and the Worcestershire were rearguard today, the Worcestershire being in
rear of us. We did not get off until 7.45 a.m. as there was much transport to get clear of Betz before we could move. Our road led through Betz.
Acy-en-Multien, Etrepilly, and Chambry. We saw no enemy, and the 4th Cavalry Brigade behind us covering our rear saw only cavalry patrols.
This was one of the worst marches we had. The 1st Line Transport, had to be sent off the night before, and as in the early morning we were standing to arms in the trenches, it was not possible to get any tea, so our breakfast was biscuit and water. The sun was very hot indeed, and after a few miles it began to tell on the men. Several fell down unconscious from heat stroke, and others were quite unable to keep up. We had no ambulances and no transport, but some of the worst cases were taken on by the artillery who were with us.
Our orders were to hurry on as quickly as possible, the reason of this being, I believe, so as not to keep back the cavalry, as it seems to have been expected that the Germans would press in on the rear, I went to the Brigadier, and told him that too much hurrying would result in our leaving a number of men on the road. I pointed out that it was not a question of unwillingness on the men's part, but simply their inability to march fast with empty stomachs under a hot sun, after all the previous hard marching they had done, and on the top of a night in the trenches with little if any sleep. The Brigadier quite agreed with me, but said that the orders were to push on as quickly as possible. However, he gave us one or two halts, which saved us a good deal; and, fortunately, between Etrepilly and Chambry, we came up with our 1st Line Transport, when we found that Brett (Transport Officer) had, with great foresight, made tea for the whole Regiment. This really saved us. We were allowed half an hour (which was subsequently extended to three quarters), and after some tea, with something to eat, the Regiment marched excellently—well closed up in their fours, and in good spirits.
Near the end of the march we passed the 6th Brigade in bivouac. This was the first that we had seen of them since leaving Aldershot, although, being in the same Division as ourselves, they had probably never been far from us. We bivouacked at 6.30 p.m. in a pleasant field, just below a chateau, at
Chauconin.
September 3rd.—(Chauconin to Petit Courrois, 14 miles.) An early start. We were off in the dark at 3 a.m., and passed through the town of Meaux, which seemed very deserted except for troops. From here we turned eastward through Trilport and Montceaux, then south-east through Pierre Levee to Petit Courrois, where we arrived in the middle of the day. Beyond finding some outposts, we had nothing to do, and were able to get a good rest. The 1st Division are to the north of us, nearer the Marne, about La Ferte. D Company, on outpost to the east, had a good deal of bother along the road, stopping French Staff officers in cars, Belgian fugitives on bicycles, and local fugitives on foot, any of whom might have been spies.
September 4th.—(Petit Courrois to Le Fay, 9 ½ miles.) The 1st Division and one of the Cavalry Brigades moved off southwards, from La Ferte, across our front, in the morning. Reports came in that the bridge, or one
of the bridges, over the Marne at La Ferte had been only partially destroyed, and that some German infantry were crossing by it to the south bank. As the 1st Division had by this time passed through, I was ordered, at about 10 a.m., to take the Regiment out to act as outposts and rearguard in the direction of La Ferte, with orders that, in case the enemy advanced I was to make some resistance, but to retire before becoming seriously engaged.
I put A Company out about L'Hotel des Bois, where they had a good field of fire.
Back at La Fringale (where I had Regimental Headquarters) were C on the left of the road, and half B on the right. The remainder of B were to the south of this, facing east, while D remained in a fire position at Le Petit
Courrois.
The enemy, however, instead of advancing in our direction, were marching away eastward, on the road to Montmirail. We could see big columns of them moving along this road for a considerable time.
In the afternoon I received orders to move back on Le Petit Courrois at 5 p.m., and then form a rearguard to the Brigade, who were marching by night through or near Giremontiers.
When we began to withdraw from La Fringale we were followed by a few German cavalry, two of whom stupidly rode right on to the tail of our rearguard and were captured by A Company, after one of their horses had been shot. A few more followed the Regimental Scouts, who were covering our left flank, and who also shot a horse and got a prisoner. They belonged to the Death's Head Hussars.
Except for this, our withdrawal was quite undisturbed. We left Le Petit Courrois at 7.30 p.m., and followed up the rest of the Brigade, through Le Gros Chene and Pre-aux-Rats, to the vicinity of Le Charnois, where we
arrived at 1 a.m. (5th September), and after having something to eat, bivouacked in a stubble field at the farm of Le Fay.
Our 1st Reinforcement of 90 men, under Turbutt (3rd Battalion), joined us here.
September 5th.—(Le Fay to Champlet, 9 miles.) Our Brigade was rearguard again but, as usually happened when we were on rearguard, we saw no enemy. We crossed the Morin at Tresmes, and thence we marched through Faremoutiers to Hautefeuille, and southwards to Lumigny. After a long halt here in a scorching sun, we went into bivouac in a large avenue at Champlet, close to Lumigny, while the remainder of the Brigade billeted in Marles. A and C Companies were on outposts, facing north on the Marles-Lumigny road, the line being carried on on the left by the Connaught Rangers, and on the right, on a line rather farther back, by the Scots Guards, of the 1st Division. A quiet night, except for some firing once—the result of a supposed visit to our outposts of a German cavalry patrol.
Extract from the Diary or Major A. J. F. Eden, Commanding C company.
In the last 16 days we have marched 227 miles, and I have had 45 hours' sleep (excluding the rest day, when some of us managed 8 or 10 solid hours). The actual distance of the march since the retirement began is 173 miles in 12 marching days.
SOURCES
1. The Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry Chronicle, 1914-15. Vol 24 :
compiled and edited by Lieut.-Colonel A.F. Mockler-Ferryman, London : Eyre and Spottiswoode, 1916
1. The Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry Chronicle, 1914-15. Vol 24 :
compiled and edited by Lieut.-Colonel A.F. Mockler-Ferryman, London : Eyre and Spottiswoode, 1916