130 The Great War ing been defeated in the Belgian Ardennes had re- treated and filled the gap between the first and the frontier barrier forts extending between Toul and Verdun. The third was fighting before Nancy, hav- ing been terrifically beaten and driven in confusion from German Lorraine, but now, at last established on ground which it was to hold for the next two months against tremendous assaults. The defeat of the Anglo-British Army at Charl- eroi and Mons has been mentioned. While the Ger- mans were attacking at these points, which were the left and centre of this army, they directed a further assault upon its right along the Meuse River from Dinant to Givet. This was made by the western half of the German Army of the Moselle, henceforth to follow the fortunes of the Army of the Meuse. This attack was successful, the French right was driven and the German army, commanded by the Grand Duke Albrecht, pursuing it was on the flank and rear of the French and English retreating from Mons and Charleroi and threatened to interpose be- tween them and Paris. It became necessary for the Allies to retreat and they did rapidly, the French coming south, east of Maubeuge, the English west. It was a race between the German Army of the Moselle, commanded by Grand Duke Albrecht, and the French to get con- trol of the road to Paris. As the English retired they left the cover of the Maubeuge-Lille line of forts and their left wing, which was also the left