Confusion over Battle of Aisne

Censorship of newspapers leaves no clear picture of progress

Confusion reigns over what precisely is happening in the Battle of Aisne.

Fighting commenced on the banks of the River Aisne on 12 September, but it is now impossible to piece together a clear and consecutive account of operations to date. The Censor continues to delay messages and extreme caution has characterised the official announcements of the French and British authorities. From Germany come reports that the battle rages on, but that there has been as yet no decisive blow struck by either side.

The Commander-in-Chief of the British Army in the field, Field Marshal Sir John French, has paid tribute to the courage of his soldiers at Aisne: ‘I am unable to find adequate words in which to express the admiration I feel for their magnificent conduct.’ He also predicted ultimate victory: ‘The self-sacrificing devotion and splendid spirit of the British Army in France will carry all before it.’

The Field Marshall has acknowledged that his men are heavily outnumbered, however, and have suffered under a hail of heavy artillery. What is apparent is that the situation is fluid, with neither side in control. There are also reports of both sides digging trenches to secure their current positions.

Postcards were one of the more common means of communication from the front. This one was sent by John Sheridan to his girlfriend (later to become his wife) in Rathmullan, Co. Donegal. (Image: Delores Sheridan via Europeana 1914-1918)

A postcard from Aisne has arrived in Dublin. Sgt. William Forbes of the 12th Lancers posted a card to his brother John who lives on Amiens Street. That card opened by saying: ‘Getting along splendidly. Chasing the Germans. Capturing them in dozens every day. They seem rather anxious to ‘chuck’.’

And Sgt. Forbes finished with the words: ‘We are heroes, aren’t we? I told you we would do something to distinguish ourselves.’