ated it comprised the First and Second Army Corps, and General
Allenby's cavalry division. The regiments forming the cavalry division
were the Second Dragoon Guards, Ninth Lancers, Fourth Hussars, Sixth
Dragoon Guards, with a contingent of the Household Guards. The First
Army Corps was given the right of the line from Binche to Mons. It was
commanded by Sir Douglas Haig. He was a cavalry officer like the
commander in chief, and a comparatively young man for such a
responsibility, but had seen active service with credit. His corps was
comprised of six guards' battalions. The First Black Watch, Second
Munster Fusiliers, The Royal Sussex, North Lancashire, Northamptons,
Second King's Royal Rifles, Third West Surreys, The South Wales
Borderers, Gloucesters, First Welsh Regiment, Highland Light Infantry,
Connaught Rangers, Liverpools, South Staffords, Berkshires, and First
King's Royal Rifles. The First Irish Guards went into action for the
first time in its history.

The second corps extended from Mons to Conde, commanded by Sir Horace
Smith-Dorrien. General Dorrien was a west of England man, and turning
fifty-six. He had seen active service in the Zulu War, Egypt, Sudan, the
Chitral Relief Force, and Tirah campaign. He had occupied the positions
of adjutant general in India, commander of the Quetta division, and
commander in chief at Aldershot. He was recognized as a serious military
student, and possessing the approval and confidence of Lord Kitchener.
The Second Corps was composed of Royal Irish Rifles, Wiltshires, South
Lancashires, Worcesters, Gordons, Royal Scots, Royal Irish, Middlesex,
Royal Fusiliers, Northumberland Fusiliers, Royal Scots Fusiliers,
Lincolns, Yorkshire Light Infantry, West Kent, West Riding, Scottish
Borderers, Manchesters, Cornwalls, East Surreys, and Suffolks. To the
rear Count Gleichen commanded the Norfolks, Bedfords, Cheshires, and
Dorsets. On the left of the Second Corps was stationed General Allenby's
cavalry.

In passing we may note that the commander in chief of the British forces
was a cavalry officer, the commander of the First Army Corps a cavalry
officer, and that the cavalry was in comparatively ample force. Von
Mackensen of the German force came from that branch of the service.
Cavalry officers are excellent soldiers, but their training as such is
not promising for the command of modern armies, mainly of infantry and
artillery, with other complements. In war much has changed since