[The following impressions of the French troops are from the first English correspondent to eye-witness an actual engagement between the French and German forces, and were written after the German attack and repulse at Dinant on August 15.]
The French are under a severe handicap in the matter of uniform. It is over a dozen years since the Boer War, and certainly they should have discarded the blue coat and red trousers for a more neutral colour. They have covered the red crown of their caps with blue. This is to prevent their being discovered by aeroplane scouts. But the flamboyant uniform of the line regiments makes a fair mark as far as the modern rifle is effective.
In groups they are all the gunner asks for a target.
On the other hand, the Germans have adopted a grey-green colour that is almost invisible. Yesterday, with a first-class glass, I had difficulty in locating individuals. What I have written to the French applies with more force to the Belgian troops. These soldiers are as conspicuous as claret stains on a new tablecloth.
SERIOUS SOLDIERS.
On my way here I passed some four or five regiments of infantry. Though the men are young they are going into this war with a seriousness unusual in the French. Of course the Gallic temperament is not changed. They still show their ╥esprit,╙ and their gaiety is not altogether extinguished. Perhaps the solemnity I have alluded to is more noticed among the officers than the men. They are as schoolmasters. All of which is to the good. I have been particularly struck by the professional atmosphere of the artillery officers. It needs but a glance of the eye to be sure that this army will perform splendid service under their direction. Of the cavalry I can say nothing, as I have only seen small bodies of mounted troops. It is impossible to venture any guess as to the ability of the general officers commanding the larger units of the fighting force. Time alone will disclose this.
I have passed the night in an inn that boasts not more than four rooms. All are crowded to suffocation with soldiers. I slept for a time in a corner of the floor surrounded by them. Motor-'bus after motor-'bus has been rolling up to this little collection of houses all night. The troops tumble out and go off in search of a sleeping-place, while the clang and racket of the motor engines tell that the 'buses are going back after more troops. The vehicles belong to the Compagnie General de Auto-'bus de Paris.
NORTHERN FRENCH ARMY'S TASK.
The contending armies are in contact from Louvain to Dinant. All the signs point to a large German force having crossed the Meuse near Huy. Their cavalry is brushing aside the small groups of Belgian horsemen who oppose them. The Belgian line is too extended. It will be impossible for them to hold their front against a concentrated attack supported by artillery. The rumour is about that the lines will be brought in towards the fortified positions. A stand will be made at Namur. Meanwhile the Belgians go about with worried looks ╥Where are the French? Where are the English?╙ they ask. The French have massed in the vicinity of Dinant. The army of the north is entrusted with the task of holding the Meuse from Namur south. The country on the east of the river is hilly and wooded. This has made scouting very difficult. Squadrons of dragoons have been captured. The motor-cycle scouts have been the most successful in locating the enemy. From what I learn from these a strong German force, at least an army corps, is advancing from Rochefort. They also report Ciney as held by German light infantry.
BRINGING DOWN AN AEROPLANE.
I am of the opinion that the service of information by aeroplane, of which so much was expected, has been a disappointment. Here at Givet I have seen an aeroplane downed by artillery fire. Early on the morning of the 18th a Taube was sighted flying low over the fortifications. A thick fog prevented flying at a higher altitude. The German air-scout was greeted with volleys from the infantry, but no shot told. He rose and disappeared for a time in the fog. Sighted again in the west, the guns from the forts opened on him. He circled immediately, then darted eastward, the cannon keeping up a rapid fire after him. It seemed certain that he would escape, when suddenly the aeroplane lurched, capsized, and dropped like a fairly hit grouse.
This failure of aeroplane scouting has made it difficult to locate the exact point of the expected German attack. The French cannot cross the Meuse in force, as this would put the river in their rear. Therefore they must cover an extended front and depend upon their motor-'buses to help in rapid concentration when the enemy makes his main attack.
The Germans have made tentative assaults at Yvoir, where the river is spanned by a splendid steel bridge, at Bouguimet, and wherever a crossing is feasible. These assaults have served to mask all that is happening in the rear.
LET ENGLAND BE READY.
Solemnly I warn the people of England that this is the beginning of a time of great trial. For Englishmen must be the bone of the army of the Allies. We have a corps d'elite here ready for the word of fire. But more must come. The enemy is advancing like a tidal wave toward the valley of the Meuse. Many lives must be sacrificed to dam this engulfing flood. A gigantic battle may open on the morrow. Whatever its result, let England be ready.
