The little expeditionary army of England, originally 100,000 men but at this time 180,000 men, held the right flank of Von Kluck in the retreat from river to river, from hill to hill, although pounded by 350,000 trained German troops massed on this flank.

This retreat put the stamp of English bravery and dogged determination, as before, on the map of Europe.

Paris was open and exposed to any entry which the Germans wished to make.

The government had retired, the gold reserves of the banks had been moved, the people in large numbers had fled.
Indeed, I may say what has never before been printed, that President Poincare summoned the "architect" of the city to the American embassy and, with tears streaming down his face, told him whence he must take his orders in the future.
Then in a flash went the orders of Joffre along his whole concentrated line of troops: "The retreat has ended, not another foot; you die here or the enemy goes back!" He had chosen the psychological moment.

The French and English had burned and broken the bridges as they retreated, and with the recoil the German communications were in danger.
A fresh force of 50,000 held in reserve near Paris flew by motors and motor-busses against the right wing of Von Kluck, which the English in retiring had been punishing so heavily.