October 3, 1914 
LAND AND WATEK 
operations in the north, in East Prussia, and the basin 
of the Niemen. But apart from this, the niunbers of 
tlic Eussian advance in the south are so great that 
Avithout a doubt, if it is continued, it "vvill be the 
deciding factor in all the eastern theatre of the war. 
In other -words, gi-anted that the advance in Galicia 
continues at its present rate, and granted that the 
Prussian success in approaching the Niemen is con- 
tinued by a crossing of that river, it is the former 
operation that will check the latter. It is the Eussian 
pr(3gi-ess upon Silesia that, under such conditions, 
would necessarily recall the Prussian forces now 
operating in the north against the line of the 
Niemen. 
A DIARY OF THE WAR. 
SYNOPSIS. 
August 24i'H. — It was announced tliiit Namur had fallen. 
The British forces were engaged all day on Sunday and after dark 
in the neighbourhood of Mous, and held their ground. Lunevillo was 
occupied by the Germans. 
August 27th. — Mr. Churchill announced in the House that the 
German armed merchantman Kaiser Wilhebii chr Grosse had been 
sunk by H.M.S. Uiijhflijer on the West Africa Coast. 
August 28th. — A concerted operation was attempted against the 
Germans in the Heligoland Bight. 
The First Light Cruiser Squadron sank the Mainz. The First 
Battle Cruiser Squadron sank one cruiser, Koln class, and another 
cruiser disappeared in the mist, heavily on fire, and in _a sinking 
condition. 
Two German destroyers were sunk and many damaged. The total 
British casualties amounted to sixty-nine killed and wounded. 
Lord Kitchener announced that " The Government have decided 
that our Army in France shall be increased by two divisions and a 
cavalry division, besides other troops from India." 
September 1st. — The Russians met with a check in East Prussia, 
but were successful in minor engagements in Galicia. 
September 2nd. — Continuous fighting was in progress along almost 
the whole line of battle. The British Cavalry engaged, with distinc- 
tion, the Cavalry of the enemy, pushed them back, and captured ten 
euns. The French Army gained ground in the Lorraine region. The 
Russian Army completely routed four Austrian Army Corps near 
Lemberg, capturing 150 guns. 
September 3bd. — The French Government moved to Bordeaux. 
September 4th. — The Russian Army under General Ruzsky, cap- 
tured Lemberg, and the Army of General Brussiloff took Halicz. 
September 5th. — The formal alliance of England, France, and 
Russia was signed in London by the representatives of the three 
Governments concerned, bindinf; each nation to conclude peace, or 
discuss terms of peace, only in conjunction with its Allies. 
September 6th. — It was announced that the scout-cruiser Path- 
finder foundered on Saturday afternoon after running upon a mine. 
September 7th.— General Joffres' plans were being steadily cariied 
out. The Allied forces acted on the offensive and were successful in 
checking and forcing back in a northeasterly direction the German 
forces opposed to them. 
September 8th. — The Allies gained ground on the left wing along 
the line of the Ourcq and the Petit Morin river. Here the British 
troops drove the enemy back ten miles. Further to the right, from 
Vitry-le-Francois to Sermaise-les-Baina the enemy was pressed back 
in the direction of Rlieims. 
Skitember 9rH. — The English Army crossed the Marne, and the 
enemy retired about twenty-five miles. 
September 11th. — Our let Army Corps captured twelve Maxim 
guns and some prisoners, and our 2nd Army Corps took 350 prisoners 
and a battery. 
September 13th. — On the left wing the enemy continued his retreat- 
ing movement. The Belgian Army pushed forward a vigorous offensive 
to the south of Lierre. 
SEPTEvaER 14th.— All day the enemy ntubbomly disputed the 
pa.<!eage of the Aisne by our troops, but nearly all the crossings were 
secured by sunset. On our right and left the French troops were 
confronted with a similar task, in which they were successful. 
Sfptemser 15th. — The Allied troops occupied Rheims. Six 
hundred prisoners and twelve guns were captured by the Corps on 
the ri^ht of the British. 
Sepiember 16th.— Submarine E9, Lieutenant-Commander Max 
Kennedy Horton, returned safely after having torpedoed the German 
cruiser Hela, six miles south of Heligoland. 
Seitj;mbrr 19th. — The Russian army seized tli« fortified positions 
of Sieniawa and Sanibor. 
September 20rn. — Rheims Cathedral was wantonly bombarded, and 
nothing is left but the four bare walls. 
The British auxiliary cruiser Cannania, Captain Noel Grant, Royal 
Kavy, sank the Cap Trafalgar off the east coast of South America. 
The action lasted one hour and forty-five minutes, when the German 
ship capsized and sunk, her survivors being rescued by an empty 
collier. 
Sei>tember 22.SD.— H.M. ships Abotikir, Uoque, and Cresty were 
sunk by submarines in the North Sea. The Aboukir was torpedoed, 
and whilst the lloijue and the CreH^.y had closed and were standing 
by to save the crew, they were also toi-pedoed. 
SEPTEMSEn 23rtn.— British aeroplanes of the Xaval wing delivered 
an attack on the Zeppelin sheds at Diisseldorf and Flight-Lieuten.int 
Ci)llf-t dropped thre« bombs on a Zeppelin shed, approacliing within 
SO) leeL 
DAY BY DAY. 
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2Sth. 
The Gcinian right wing was strengthened by the transfer of 
Army Corps botli from the centre of their line and from their left 
in Lorraine and the ^''osge.s. This force concentrated near 
St. Quentin, was attacked by the French operating between the 
Somme and the Oise. A general and very vigorous action took 
place in this quarter. Along the line of the Aisne there was 
little change in the general position. 
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26th. 
There was much activity on the part of the enemy all along 
the line. Some heavy counter-attacks were repulsed, and 
considerable loss was inflicted on the enemy. 
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27th. 
On Our Left Wing.— Between the Oise and the Somme 
and to the north of the Somme, the battle continued along a very 
extensive front with perceptible progress on our part. From the 
Oise to Rheims the Germans at several places made very furious 
attacks, some carried to the point of the bayonet, but all repulsed. 
The lines of the French and German trenches were in many places 
only a few hundred yards apart. 
In the Centrk. — From Rheims to Souain the Prus.sian 
Guard attempted, but without success, a vigorou.s offensive 
movement, and were thrown back in the neighbourhood of Berru 
and Nogent I'Abbesse. From Souain to the Argonne the enemy 
gained some advantage in the course of their attacks yesterday 
morning between the road from Somme-Py and Chalons-sm-- 
Mame and the railway line from Sainte-Menehould to Vouziera. 
By the evening our troops regained the ground they had lost. 
Between the Argonne and the Meuse there was nothing new to 
report. In the south of the Woeuvre the Germans occupied a line 
which passed through St. Mihicl and the north-west of Pont-a- 
Moussom. 
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28tli. 
There was no change in the general situation. Comparative 
calm reigned on part of the front. Nevertheless at certain points, 
notably between the Aisne and the Argonne, the enemy made 
further violent attacks which were repulsed. 
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29th. 
There was practically no change in the situation. The 
Allied left had some very heax^- fighting, but they well held 
their own. 
SPORTSMAN'S BATTALION. 
The Sportsman's Battalion is a corps for gentlemen up to 
forty-five years of age, and only those exceptionally fit and 
accustomed to outdoor sport are accepted. It is the only corps 
in England for which the age limit has been specially extended 
by the authorities, and has been sanctioned by Lord Kitchener, 
who has expressed his thanks for the offer of its services. 
Directly its full complement has been reached and passed by 
the authorities it becomes a unit of the regular Army. The Chief 
Recruiting Officer is E. Cuncliffe-Owen, and the recruiting 
station is the Indian Room, Hotel Cecil, London, applicants 
being seen from ten in the morning until six in the evening. 
Recruiting officers have also vi.sited various provincial centres. 
The corps is an infantry one, the training will be the ordinary 
infantry training— its length dependent, of course, on the 
recruits' proficiency — and the medical examination the ordinary 
Army examination. Payment at Army rates. Payment by the 
recruit for his equipment is optional. 
Among applicant.s are :— Victor Hughes Hallett (Raymond 
Carew), a well-known sporting writer ; Sylvester Stannard, 
R.B.S. ; Sydney Smith, brother of Mr. F. E. Smith ; Mr. John 
Charleton, of Ludlow, owner of a pack of hounds ; and Mr. 
Rupert Tattersall. The corps is announced as for gentlemen 
\ip to forty-five years of age accustomed to sport. It must not 
be suppo.sed for a moment that money is a bar to the recruit ; 
nil suitable applicants are welcome, and there are no compulsoiy 
expenses. 
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