In a decade the miracle of miracles had happened. Russia had found herself, and her Armies had become an expression of the national will. "There is as much difference," wrote one correspondent, "in organisation, _morale_, and efficiency between the armies which some of us saw in Manchuria ten years ago and which crumpled up before the Imperial Guards of Japan at the Battle of the Yalu, and the military machine that these past few weeks has been steadily and surely driving back the armies of Germany and Austria, as there was between the raw American recruits who stampeded at the Battle of the Bull Run in 1861 and the veterans who received the surrender of Lee at Appomattox."
If then I am asked upon what I based my hopes during October, 1914, that is my answer.
The actual fronts and positions of the opposing forces from Nieuport and the sea to La Bassée, on the night of October 21st, were, according to our latest and best information, as follows:--
_Front (approx.)._ _Attacked by_ 2nd Corps 6 miles. 7th Corps. Conneau's Cavalry Corps Filling gap, 19th Corps and part of 1 mile. 7th Corps. 3rd Corps and 19th Bgd. 12 miles. Cavalry Corps 4 miles. Part of 19th Corps and of 18th Corps. 4th Corps 6 miles. 1 Division of 13th Corps and 27th Corps. 1st Corps 7 miles. 26th Corps and part of 23rd Corps. Territorials, de Mitry's 20 miles. 23rd Corps, 22nd and Cav. Corps, Belgians, 3rd Reserve Corps, and French Marines. and Ersatz Division.
On October 21st the 1st Corps came into line, and after hard fighting held at night the line Zonnebeke--Langemarck--Bixschoote, the left of the 1st Division being on the Yser Canal.
Some confusion and friction were caused by the withdrawal of de Mitry's Cavalry Corps to the west bank of the canal, thus uncovering the flank of the 1st Corps, who were also considerably delayed in their advance by French Territorial troops blocking the road. In spite of this, however, the 1st Corps delivered some powerful attacks with the bayonet, and in the afternoon the artillery of the Corps was in action for a long time against retreating hostile masses. They were splendid targets for one brigade in particular, which did tremendous execution.
The inevitable evils of divided command are clearly shown when Allied troops are mixed, and the limits of control cannot be properly defined. As will appear later, I made the most strenuous attempts to minimise this very serious drawback, either until rectified or considerably reduced by arrangements between the two Governments, but all in vain. I could get no hearing.