n on the right of the
Corps suffered considerable loss in this operation from the enemy,
who had retaken Mons.

The 2nd Corps halted on this line, where they partially entrenched
themselves, enabling Sir Douglas Haig with the 1st Corps gradually
to withdraw to the new position; and he effected this without much
further loss, reaching the line Bavai-Maubeuge about 7 p.m.
Towards midday the enemy appeared to be directing his principal
effort against our left.

I had previously ordered General Allenby with the Cavalry to act
vigorously in advance of my left front and endeavour to take the
pressure off.

About 7.30 a.m. General Allenby received a message from Sir
Charles Fergusson, commanding 5th Division, saying that he was
very hard pressed and in urgent need of support. On receipt of
this message General Allenby drew in the Cavalry and endeavoured
to bring direct support to the 5th Division.

During the course of this operation General De Lisle, of the 2nd
Cavalry Brigade, thought he saw a good opportunity to paralyse the
further advance of the enemy's infantry by making a mounted attack
on his flank. He formed up and advanced for this purpose, but was
held up by wire about 500 yards from his objective, and the 9th
Lancers and 18th Hussars suffered severely in the retirement of
the Brigade.

The 19th Infantry Brigade, which had been guarding the Line of
Communications, was brought up by rail to Valenciennes on the 22nd
and 23rd. On the morning of the 24th they were moved out to a
position south of Quarouble to support the left flank of the 2nd
Corps.

With the assistance of the Cavalry Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien was
enabled to effect his retreat to a new position; although, having
two corps of the enemy on his front and one threatening his flank,
he suffered great losses in doing so.

At nightfall the position was occupied by the 2nd Corps to the
west of Bavai, the 1st Corps to the right. The right was protected
by the Fortress of Maubeuge, the left by the 19th Brigade in
position between Jenlain and Bry, and the Cavalry on the outer
flank.

4. The French were still retiring, and I had no support except
such as was afforded by the Fortress of Maubeuge; and the
determined attempts of the enemy to get round my left flank
assured me that it was his intention to hem me against that place
and surround me. I felt that not a moment mu