[Illustration: FRANCHET D'ESPEREY] The armies of Generals Franchet d'Esperey and Foch fought with great stubbornness. The former wrested several dominating positions from the Germans and approached Esternay, but the latter was able only to maintain himself on the line of resistance assigned to him south of the Marshes of Saint-Gond. General Langle de Cary was eventually able to hold up the bulk of the troops under the Duke of Wurtemberg on positions extending from the south-west of Vitry-le-François to Revigny. The general plan of operations included an attack by the Third Army, under General Sarrail, against the German left wing, such attack to coincide with that of General Maunoury at the other end of the line. This was, however, anticipated by the Germans who, under the Crown Prince, and in far greater numbers, forced back Sarrail's left and prevented all progress on his right. SEPTEMBER 7, 1914 On September 7, Maunoury's army began to feel the effects of the German heavy artillery, established out of range of the French 75's, and could advance but very slowly. However, at the end of the day, Maunoury still hoped to be able to outflank the German right. Meanwhile, Von Kluck continued his risky manœuvre, and detached a second army corps from the forces opposed to the British, adding it to his right. Each was endeavouring to outflank the other. Fronting the British, there was now only a thin curtain of troops taken from two of the German army corps opposed to Franchet d'Esperey. This small force fought with great stubbornness, in order, if possible, to give Von Kluck time to crush Maunoury, before the advance by the British and Franchet d'Esperey could become really dangerous. [Illustration] [Illustration: VON BULOW] The slow progress effected in the British sector is explained by the extreme fierceness of the struggle. General Franchet d'Esperey took advantage of the reduction of the forces opposed to him. Vigorously pushing back the latter, he continued his advance northwards, eventually reaching and crossing the River Grand Morin. This advance helped to lessen the effects of the furious attacks that the Germans were then making against General Foch's army. In front of the latter, Von Bulow, whose armies were still intact, realised the danger which threatened Von Kluck, and, in order to avert it, endeavoured to pierce the French front. He concentrated the whole of his efforts against the 42nd Division, under General Grossetti, whose arduous mission it was to maintain the connection between the Fifth and Ninth Armies, under Franchet d'Esperey and Foch respectively. A terrific struggle followed, as a result of which Grossetti was forced to fall back. Fortunately, as we have just seen, the right of Franchet d'Esperey's Army was able, thanks to its advance, to come to the rescue and prevent the French front from being pierced. Before Von Hausen, the whole line fell back slightly.