It may seem that the political chapters are somewhat long for a military work, but the reader will {ix} find that in subsequent volumes there are no further politics, so that this survey of the European conditions of 1914 is a lead up to the whole long narrative of the actual contest. I would thank my innumerable correspondents (whom I may not name) for their very great help. I would also admit the profit which I have derived from reading Coleman's _Mons to Ypres_, and especially Lord Ernest Hamilton's _The First Seven Divisions_. These books added some new facts, and enabled me to check many old ones. Finally, I desire to thank my friend Mr. P. L. Forbes for his kind and intelligent assistance in arranging my material. ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE. WINDLESHAM, CROWBOROUGH, _October_ 1916. CONTENTS CHAPTER I THE BREAKING OF THE PEACE CHAPTER II THE OPENING OF THE WAR CHAPTER III THE BATTLE OF MONS The landing of the British in France--The British leaders--The advance to Mons--The defence of the bridges of Nimy--The holding of the canal--The fateful telegram--The rearguard actions of Frameries, Wasmes, and Dour--The charge of the Lancers--The fate of the Cheshires--The 7th Brigade at Solesmes--The Guards in action--The Germans' rude awakening--The Connaughts at Pont-sur-Sambre CHAPTER IV THE BATTLE OF LE CATEAU The order of battle at Le Cateau--The stand of the 2nd Suffolks--Major Yate's V.C.--The fight for the quarries--The splendid work of the British guns--Difficult retirement of the Fourth Division--The fate of the 1st Gordons--Results of the battle--Exhaustion of the Army--The destruction of the 2nd Munsters--A cavalry fight--The news in Great Britain--The views of General Joffre--Battery L--The action of Villars-Cotteret--Reunion of the Army CHAPTER V THE BATTLE OF THE MARNE The general situation--"Die grosse Zeit"--The turn of the tide--The Battle of the Ourcq--The British advance--Cavalry fighting--The 1st Lincolns and the guns--6th Brigade's action at Hautvesnes--9th Brigade's capture of Germans at Vinly--The problem of the Aisne--Why the Marne is one of the great battles of all time CHAPTER VI THE BATTLE OF THE AISNE The hazardous crossing of the Aisne--Wonderful work of the sappers--The fight for the sugar factory--General advance of the Army--The 4th (Guards) Brigade's difficult task--Cavalry as a mobile reserve--The Sixth Division--Hardships of the Army--German breach of faith--_Tâtez toujours_--The general position--Attack upon the West Yorks--Counter-attack by Congreve's 18th Brigade--Rheims Cathedral--Spies--The siege and fall of Antwerp CHAPTER VII THE LA BASSÉE--ARMENTIÈRES OPERATIONS The great battle line--Advance of Second Corps--Death of General Hamilton--The farthest point--Fate of the 2nd Royal Irish--The Third Corps--Exhausted troops--First fight of Neuve Chapelle--The Indians take over--The Lancers at Warneton--Pulteney's operations--Action of Le Gheir CHAPTER VIII