It is difficult for the civilian to realize that the
few curt lines of Sir Douglas Haig's despatch of Monday night described what in other wars would have been a very great battle and a very great victory. The mere statement that the Germans made an attack and were repulsed at all points conveys little to the non-military mind. Yet, in bare justice to the heroic divisions who bore the burden of that terrible day, we all ought to try to understand what they did. They put out of action at least thirty thousand Germans. They broke the spirit of the best fighting divisions that General von Armin could put against them, by inflicting on them a second decisive defeat in four days. They showed once more that the British and French Armies will not be broken or demoralized by the most furious assaults that the enemy can deliver. Monday's nameless battle was but an episode in this stupendous conflict, but it has confirmed anew our belief in the Allied armies. Provided always that they are properly reinforced, they cannot be beaten, and they can and will beat the enemy.
