our hands. The enemy left many dead on the field. On
this day the French Fifth and Sixth Armies had little opposition.

As the First and Second German Armies were now in full retreat, this
evening marks the end of the battle which practically commenced on the
morning of the 6th inst.; and it is at this point in the operations that
I am concluding the present dispatch.

Although I deeply regret [Transcriber: original 'regreat'] to have had
to report heavy losses in killed and wounded throughout these
operations, I do not think they have been excessive in view of the
magnitude of the great fight, the outlines of which I have only been
able very briefly to describe, and the demoralization and loss in killed
and wounded which are known to have been caused to the enemy by the
vigor and severity of the pursuit.

In concluding this dispatch I must call your Lordship's special
attention to the fact that from Sunday, Aug. 23, up to the present date,
(Sept. 17,) from Mons back almost to the Seine, and from the Seine to
the Aisne, the army under my command has been ceaselessly engaged
without one single day's halt or rest of any kind.

Since the date to which in this dispatch I have limited my report of the
operations, a great battle on the Aisne has been proceeding. A full
report of this battle will be made in an early further dispatch.

[Illustration: Map 7--Sept. 10 (evening). End of the battle of the
Marne.
The Germans were driven over the Ourcq and retreated to the Aisne.]

[Illustration: LIEUT. GEN. SIR DOUGLAS HAIG
Commanding one of Gen. French's Corps
(_From Painting by John St. Helier Lander._)]

[Illustration: CROWN PRINCE WILHELM
(_Copyright, Photographische Gesellschaft, by permission of the Berlin
Photographic Co., N.Y._)]

It will, however, be of interest to say here that, in spite of a very
determined resistance on the part of the enemy, who is holding in
strength and great tenacity a position peculiarly favorable to defense,
the battle which commenced on the evening of the 12th inst. has, so far,
forced the enemy back from his first position, secured the passage of
the river, and inflicted great loss upon him, including the capture of
over 2,000 prisoners and several guns. I have the honor to be your
Lordship's most obedient servant,

(Signed.) J.D.P. FRENCH,
Field Marshal,
Commanding in Chief, the British forces in the field.

III.

*The Battle of the Aisne.*

8th October, 1914.

My Lo