We left General Smith-Dorian retiring towards Le Cateau, while von Klick maintained his pursuit. After a hard day of fighting, the second corps broke contact with the enemy and started their long march south. Dorian entered the town of Le Cateau, ahead of his main force, and met with his scouts. They reported that the enemy had already taken the high ground around the city.
The British fourth corps, fresh from England, came along side the battered second corps near Le Cateau. Smith -Dorian looked at his exhausted men and feared that it wouldn't take long before the German Army caught up and enveloped them.
Sir French had issued orders for both the first and second corps to continue their retirement south, however, Smith-Dorian felt if he continued his retirement his army would fall to the pursuing enemy. He felt that his only option was to stand and fight, but it would require him to disobey a direct order. For this reason, he met with his commanders to determine if they would follow him if he made the decision to fight. After receiving their support, he approached General Snow, commander of the fourth corps. Upon receiving everyone's support, he gave the order.
The men and women of Le Cateau helped dig shallow trenches for the protection of the British infantry. The morning of August 25, the German artillery opened fire on the British line. After several hours, the shelling stopped and waves after wave of German infantry charged.
With fast and accurate fire, the British inflected heavy casualties on the advancing Germans. As evening approached, the Germans had breached sections of the British line. Smith-Dorian decided it was time to terminate contact with the enemy and continue their retirement south.
After losing so many men, von Kick decided not to continue his attack on the retiring British until the next morning.
Although Smith-Dorian disobeyed Sir French's order, his actions saved his army from envelopment.
Next, we'll adventure to the east to see what's up with the first corps.
World War One journal entries will transcend the reader beyond the mere historical depiction of the war, transporting them through the personal experiences of one man who endured, while millions of other perished.
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