October 3, 1914 
LAND AND WATER 
operations in the north, in East Prussia, and the basin 
ol" the Niemen. But apart from tliis, the numbers of 
the Jiussian advance in the south are so givat that 
Avitliout a doubt, if it is continued, it will be the 
deciding factor in all the eastern theatre of the war. 
In other words, granted tliat the advance in Galicia 
continues at its present rate, and granted tluit tlic 
Prussian success in approaeliing the Niemen is con- 
tinued by a crossing of that river, it is the former 
oj^eration that will check the latter. It is the Russian 
progress upon Silesia that, under such conditions, 
Avould necessarily recall the Prussian forces now 
operating in the north against the line of the 
Niemen. 
A DIARY OF THE WAR. 
SYNOPSIS. 
August 24th. — It was amiouncoU lliat Xamur had fallen. 
The British forces were engaged all day on .Sunday and alter dark 
in the neighbourhood of Mon.s, and held their ground. Lunuville was 
occupied by the Germans. 
August 27th. — Mr. Chun-hill announced in the House that the 
German armed merchantman Koifr Wll/ielm ilcr Grosse had been 
sunk by H.M.S. Uighflycr on the West Africa Coast. 
August 28™. — A concerted operation was attempted against the 
Germans in the Heligoland J5ight. 
The Kir.st Light Cruiser .Squadron sank the Mainz. The First 
Cattlo Cruiser Squadron sank one cruiser, Kola clas.s, 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." 
Septoiber 1st. — The Russians met with .1 check in East Prussia, 
but were successful in minor engagements in Galicia. 
SEPTEiiBCR 2xD. — Continuous fighting was in progress along almost 
the whole line of battle. The British ("avalry engaged, with distinc- 
tion, the Cavalry of the enemy, pushed them back, and captured ten 
guns. The French Army gained ground in the Lorraine region. The 
Ilussian Army completely routed four Austrian Army Corps near 
I.>emberg, capturing 150 guns. 
Septembeb 3bd. — The French Government moved to Bordeaux. 
September 4th.' — The Russian Army under General Rnzsky, cap- 
tured Lemberg, and the Army of General Brussiloff took Halicz. 
StrrEMBER 5th. — The formal alliance of England, France, and 
Russia was signed in London by the reprasentutives of the three 
Governments concerned, binding each nation to conclude peace, or 
discuss terms of peace, only in conjunction with its Allies. 
.Scptember 6th. — It was announced that the Rcout-cnii.ser Poth- 
finder foundered on Saturday afternoon aft«r running upon u mine. 
September 7in. — General Joffres' plans were being steadily carried 
out. The Allied forces acted on the offensive and were successful in 
checking and forcing back in a north-easterly direction the German 
forces opposed to them. 
.Seitbmber 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-Baing the enemy was pressed back 
iu the direction of Rheinis. 
StrixMBER 9rH. — The English Army crossed the Marne, and the 
enemy retired about twenty-five miles. 
Seitember IItic. — Our Ist Army Corps captured twelve Maxim 
j^nns and some prisoners, and our 2nd Army Corps took 550 prisoners 
and a battery. 
Seitember 13th. — On the left wing the enemy continued his retreat- 
ing movement. The Belgian Army puohed forward a vigorous offensive 
to the south of Lierre. 
SErrE.vr^EB 14j"H. — All day the enemy stubbornly disputed the 
passage of the Aisnc by our troops, but nearly all the crossings were 
secured by «un:;et. On our right and left the French trooiie were 
confronted with a similar task, in v.liich they were succeesful. 
SF!TEM=En 15th. — Tho Allied troops occupied Rheims. Six 
hundred prisoners and' twelve guns were captured by the Corps on 
the ri^ht of the Briti^ih. 
September 16ih.- Submarine E9, Lieutenant-Commander Max 
Kennedy Horton, returned safely after having torpedoed the German 
cruiser llela, six miles south of Heligoland. 
Seitember 19th. — The Russian army sei/.ed th« fortified positions 
of Sieniawa and Sanibor. 
Seitember 20ih. — Bheiins Cathedral was wantonly bombarded, and 
nothing is left but the four bare walls. 
The British auxiliary cruiser Cnrmanin, Captain N'oel Grant, Royal 
Kavy, sank the Cap Tiajulgar off the east coast of South Anieriia. 
'I'lie action lasted one hour and forty-five minutes, when the German 
ship capsized and sunk, her survivors being rescued by an empty 
collier. 
Sr.rTEUBEB 22xD. — H.M. ships AbovHr, Ilo/jue, and Crr:>Ky were 
sntik by submarines in the North Sea. Tho AhoiAir was toniedoed, 
and whilst the Hague and the Cresfi/ had closed and were standing 
by to save the crew, they were al^o torpedoed. 
SF.rTKMBEn 23rd.— Briti.sh aeroplanes of the Kaval wing delivered 
•n attack on the Zeppelin sheds at IJiissrIdorf and Flight Lieutenant 
Collet dripped thrc-e bombs on a Zeppelin shed, approaching wjtliiu 
400 feet. 
DAY BY DAY. 
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25th. 
The Gcniian liglit wing was strengtlipned by the transfer of 
Army Corps both from tlic centre of their Hue and from their left 
in Lorraine and the A'osges. This force concentrated near 
St. Quentin, was attacked by the French operating between the 
Soinme 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 tlie 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 tho 
Oi.se to Rheims the Germans at several places made very furious 
attack.?, some carried to the point of the bayonet, but all repulsed. 
The lines of the French and tferman trenches were in many places 
only a few hundred yards apart. 
In the Centre.— From Rheims to Souain the Prussian 
Guard attempted, but without succe,ss, a vigorous offensive 
movement, and were thrown back in the nciglibourhood of Berra 
and Nogent I'Abbcsse. 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-sur- 
Marne and the railway line from Sainte-Menehould to Vouziers. 
By the evening our troops regained the ground they had lost. 
Between the Argonne and the Meu.se there was nothing new to 
report. In the south of the Woeuvre the Germans occupied a line 
which passed through St. Mihiel and the north-west of Pont-a- 
Moussom. 
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28th. 
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 
furtiier violent attacks which were repulsed. 
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29th, 
There was practically no change in the situation. The 
Allied left had some very heavy 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 tlie 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 
Recniiting Oflicer is E. Cuncliffe-Owen, and the recruiting 
station is the Indian Room, Hotel Cecil, London, applicants 
being seen from ten in the morning imtil six in the evening. 
Recniiting officers have also visited various provincial centres. 
The corps is an infantry one, the training will be the ordinary 
infantry training— its length dependent, of course, on tho 
recruits' proficiency — and the medical examination the ordinary 
Army examination. Pa3-ment at Army rates. Payment by the 
recruit for his equipment is optional. 
Among applicants are :— Victor Hughes Hallett (Raymond 
Carew), a well-known sporting writer; Sylvester Stannard, 
ll.B.S. ; Sydney Smith, brother of Mr. F. E. Smith ; Mr. John 
Chaileton, of Ludlow, owner of a pack of hounds ; and Mr. 
Itupert Tattcrsall. The corps is announced as for gentlemen 
up 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 ; 
all suitable apphcants are welcome, and there are no compulsory 
expenses. 
11* 
