I have availed myself to some extent of the researches of MR. HILAIRE BELLOC in my estimates in Chapter V.; while my details of the German Army are taken from German sources, "Deutsche Land- und Seemacht," by Rabenau, and other volumes. To my comrades-in-arms (few, alas! remain), whose deeds and experiences have contributed to the writing of the story, I hold out a hand of greeting. I salute in reverence the immortal souls of the gallant dead. A. C.-S. CONTENTS Roll of Honour CHAPTER 1. Mobilisation 2. The Sailing of the Force 3. The Landing of the Force 4. Up Country 5. The Marshalling of the Armies 6. Mons 7. Mons (_continued_) 8. The Retreat Begins 9. The Second Day 10. An Interlude 11. Wednesday, the 26th of August 12. Wednesday, the 26th of August (_continued_) 13. The Retreat Continues 14. Past Compiègne 15. The Final Stages Appendix I. Appendix II. LIST OF PLATES General Sir H. Smith-Dorrien . . . _Frontispiece_ Field-Marshal Viscount French General Sir Douglas Haig Map of Country from Mons to Paris The Roll of Honour OF THE FIRST EXPEDITIONARY FORGE _General Officer Commanding-in-Chief the British Forces:_ FIELD-MARSHAL SIR J. D. P. FRENCH. _Chief of the General Staff:_ LIEUTENANT-GENERAL SIR A. J. MURRAY. _Adjutant-General:_ MAJOR-GENERAL SIR C. F. N. MACREADY. _Quartermaster-General:_ MAJOR-GENERAL SIR W. R. ROBERTSON. _FIRST ARMY CORPS_ _General Officer Commanding-in-Chief_-- LIEUTENANT-GENERAL SIR DOUGLAS HAIG. 1st DIVISION _General Officer Commanding_--MAJOR-GENERAL S. H. LOMAX. 1st Infantry Brigade _Brigade Commander_--BRIGADIER-GENERAL F. I. MAXSE. 1st Batt. Coldstream Guards. 1st Batt. R. Highlanders. 1st Batt. Scots Guards. 2nd Batt. R. Munster Fusiliers. 2nd Infantry Brigade _Brigade Commander_--BRIGADIER-GENERAL E. S. BULFIN. 2nd Batt. R. Sussex Regt. 1st Batt. Northampton Regt. 1st Batt. N. Lancs. Regt. 2nd Batt. K. R. Rifle Corps 3rd Infantry Brigade _Brigade Commander_--BRIGADIER-GENERAL H. J. S. LANDON. 1st Batt. R. W. Surrey Regt. 1st Batt. Gloucester Regt. 1st Batt. S. Wales Borderers. 2nd Batt. Welsh Regt. CAVALRY (attached) C Squadron 15th Hussars. ROYAL ENGINEERS 23rd and 26th Field Companies. ROYAL ARTILLERY R.F.A. Batteries--113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 46, 51, 54; (Howitzer) 30, 40, 57. _Heavy Battery R.G.A._--26. An Ammunition Column and an Ammunition Park. 2nd DIVISION _General Officer Commanding_--MAJOR-GENERAL C. C. MONRO. 4th Infantry Brigade _Brigade-Commander_--GENERAL R. SCOTT-KERR. 2nd Batt. Grenadier Guards 3rd Batt. Coldstream Guards 2nd Batt. Coldstream Guards lst Batt. Irish Guards. 5th Infantry Brigade _Brigade Commander_--BRIGADIER-GENERAL R. C. B. HAKING. 2nd Batt. Worcester Regt. 2nd Batt. Highland L.I. 2nd Batt. Oxford and Bucks L.I. 2nd Batt. Connaught Rangers