The losses on both sides have been enormous. The English
are marvelously trained in making use of the ground. One never
sees them, and one is constantly under fire. Two days ago, early
in the morning, we were attacked by immensely superior English
forces (one brigade and two battalions) and were turned out of
our positions. The fellows took five guns from us. It was a
tremendous hand-to-hand fight. How I escaped myself I am not
clear.... If we first beat the English, the French resistance will
soon be broken."
The admissions of prisoners that the Germans were amazed at the fighting
qualities of the British soldier, and had acquired a wholesome dread of
meeting him at close quarters, may have been colored by a trifling
disposition to be amiable in their captivity; but letters such as those
just quoted are honest statements for private reading in Germany, and
were never intended to fall into British hands.
Although Tommy Atkins makes occasional jocular allusions to the enemy as
"Sausages" there is no doubt that he considers the German army a very
substantial fighting force. "The German is not a toy terrier, but a
bloodhound thirsting for blood," is one description of him; "getting to
Berlin isn't going to be a cheap excursion," says another; and, to quote
a third, "in spite of all we say about the Teuton, he is taking his
punishment well, and we've got a big job on our hands.
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