CHAPTER IV

THE BATTLE OF LE CATEAU

The order of battle at Le Cateau--The stand of the 2nd Suffolks--Major Yate's V.C.--The fight for the quarries--The splendid work of the British guns--Difficult retirement of the Fourth Division--The fate of the 1st Gordons--Results of the battle--Exhaustion of the Army--The destruction of the 2nd Munsters--A cavalry fight--The news in Great Britain--The views of General Joffre--Battery L--The action of Villars-Cotteret--Reunion of the Army