At Château-Thierry

We shall soon see a part of the country that suffered much during the World War. First, we shall go along the celebrated Marne. This river is not as wide as many of ours, but nevertheless, two of the most important battles of the war took place on its banks.

Here we are near the city of Meaux. This city still shows wounds, for the country-side was ravaged by the enemy. It will always be famous because it marks the limits of the approach of the Germans. You undoubtedly remember that they were advancing on Paris during the summer of 1914.

The French troops, under the orders of 3 General Joffre, waited for a favorable moment to attack them. A great battle took place. It is called 2 the First Battle of the Marne. The French won a great victory on this battlefield. The Germans were crowded back in confusion and finally took refuge behind

1 Use the reflexive verb. 2 Use on. 3 Use definite article.

the Aisne River, where they had constructed trenches. They remained here until the month of September, 191 8, when all their army was forded to take new positions near the frontier.

Château-Thierry is a name that is very dear to us Americans to-day. Formerly, a few tourists visited this little city to see the ruins of an old castle. But now, in the United States, this site is renowned because one of our first battles took place near here.

I assure you that we are very proud of what our marines and soldiers did on this battlefield. Think of it ! These inexperienced soldiers defeated the Prussian Guard, which the Germans used to call the flower of their armies. When the news arrived that our soldiers had measured arms with this organization and that they had won the victory, we knew that it was the beginning of the end of that long war.

In this battle our soldiers gave convincing proofs of their valor. However, it is true that we lost many soldiers in that desperate struggle. But this victory weakened the morale of the German soldiers. Discouragement took possession of them after that date and they were driven back on all the battlefronts.