The Fourth French Army, under General Langle de Cary, was minus two army corps which had helped to form Foch's army. This diminution of the forces of the Fourth Army prevented the latter from breaking off contact with the enemy. While, at the extreme left, General Maunoury had already begun his advance towards the River Ourcq, General Langle de Cary received orders to hold up the opposing forces under the Duke of Wurtemberg. Unfortunately, Langle de Cary's forces had not sufficient liberty of movement to effect the necessary _volte-face_. At the extreme right of the Allied front was the Third French Army, under General Sarrail, established in a position extending from the north-east of Revigny to Verdun, with a reserve group to the west of Saint-Mihiel, to be moved either east or west, according to circumstances. The forces opposing General Sarrail were commanded by the future "War-Lord": the Crown Prince. While the French were preparing to thrust back the invader, "War Lord the Second," drunk with victory, ordered the pursuit to be continued as far as the line Dijon--Besançon--Belfort: triumphal dreams destined to give place first to surprise, then to uncertainty, and finally to the bitterness of defeat. Posterity will compare this arrogant order of the Crown Prince's with the stirring proclamation which Joffre caused to be made known to the whole of the French army on the eve of the great battle: [Illustration: FRENCH] [Illustration: DOUGLAS HAIG] "_On the eve of the battle, on which the future of our country depends, it is important to remind all that there must be no looking back. Every effort mast be made to attack and drive back the enemy. Troops which can no longer advance must at all costs keep the ground they have won, and die rather than fall back. Under present circumstances no weakness can be tolerated._" SEPTEMBER 6, 1914 On this and the succeeding maps, the Allied positions of the previous evening and at the end of the next day are shown. The German positions are not shown, as too many lines might create confusion in reading the maps. Maunoury's Army effected an advance of about six miles, but his left was unable to accomplish its task, which was to outflank the German right. Von Kluck who, till then, seeming to ignore Maunoury had concentrated all his efforts against the British and Franchet d'Esperey's Army, now perceived this manœuvre. With the promptitude and audacity which particularly marked his character, he completely changed his plans and rounded on Maunoury. Taking advantage of the state of extreme fatigue of the British forces, Von Kluck withdrew one of the army corps which were facing them and despatched it by forced marches to the help of his right wing. It was these unexpected reinforcements which enabled Von Kluck to hold up Maunoury's left. On this day the British army finally recovered itself, and reached a line running from the north-west to the south-east of Coulommiers. [Illustration]