The New York Times Current History of the European War, Vol 1, Issue 4, January 23, 1915

In the early weeks of the Great War, the British Expeditionary Force found itself thrust onto a rapidly shifting battlefield in France and Belgium. This collection presents the candid dispatches of the army’s commander, sent directly to the British War Office, and offers a day‑by‑day account of troop movements, logistical hurdles, and the evolving strategy under General Joffre’s direction. Listeners hear the meticulous planning of rail and sea transports, the placement of corps along the Canal line, and the early reconnaissance that hinted at the enemy’s strength.

The narrative captures the tension of September 1914, when unexpected German offensives threatened the fragile Mons salient. Through the eyes of Sir John French, the report details hurried decisions—pulling back units, repositioning cavalry, and preparing fallback lines—while also conveying the uncertainty that pervaded the front. The language is immediate and unvarnished, reflecting the pressure of command in a war that was still defining itself.

For anyone curious about the first moments of the Western Front, these dispatches provide a vivid, insider’s perspective on the challenges, miscalculations, and resolve that shaped the early days of the conflict.