Now all roads lead to France and heavy is the tread
Of the living; but the dead returning lightly dance.
Edward Thomas, Roads

Friday, March 21, 2014

Western Front Virtual Tour —
Stop 12: Retreat from Mons, Part I







At Mons, General French's BEF force was facing von Kluck's First Army, which was twice its size. By the afternoon of 23 August, despite their success of earlier in the day, the British regulars were being overwhelmed by sheer numbers. Also, and with the retreat of the the French Fifth Army on their right, they were facing danger of being isolated and annihilated. Orders went out for a withdrawal south, which would continue for two weeks until the BEF was able to escape the German pursuit by crossing and moving south of the Marne river.


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Next Week: The Retreat from Mons, Part II


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