At about 7 a.m. today the Germans began to attack British positions around Mons. It was the British Expeditionary Force’s first action of the war. At first the German surges were mown down by rifle-fire. Gradually, however, von Kluck’s troops gained a foothold south of the canal and advanced in overwhelming numbers. The B.E.F. lost about 1600 men (including prisoners) and fell back a few miles. By nightfall the Germans had taken Mons.
Next entry: 25 August 1914
