1914, page 139 by John French
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cellency, Marshal French, if the latter would let him know whether he shares his views as to the proposals indicated above."
On the same date, I replied to the Commander-in-Chief as follows:--
"September 30th, 1914.
"Note by the Field Marshal Commander-in-Chief, British Forces, to His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief.
"The Field-Marshal Commander-in-Chief, British Forces, has received the note which His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief has been kind enough to address to him, in reply to his Memorandum of the 29th instant.
"Sir John French entirely agrees with the views expressed, and will give effect to them at once in the following manner:--
"1. The 2nd Cavalry Division, consisting of two Brigades under the command of Major-General Gough, which is now located in rear of the left of the line held by the British Forces, will hold itself in readiness to proceed to whatever point on the railway His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief may decide upon, to be moved thence to Lille, if that place should be decided upon as the point upon which the British Forces should first concentrate on reaching the left of the Allied line.
"2. As soon as trains are available, the Field-Marshal Commanding-in-Chief will disengage the 2nd British Corps which now occupies the centre of the British line. This Corps will concentrate in rear and be ready to move by the same route and for the same destination as the 2nd Cavalry Division.
"3. In like manner, the 19th Infantry Brigade will be held in readiness to move immediately after the 2nd Corps.
"4. The position in the centre of the British line, held now by the two Divisions of the 2nd Corps, will be divided between the 1st Corps, now occupying the left of the British line, in such a manner as to unite the inward flanks of the two Corps; whilst the 1st Cavalry Division will be held as a reserve south of the river.
"5. The Field Marshal understands that, as soon as a forward move by the whole line be