Royal Artillery Institute on this campaign, quotes the German official account as follows: "The entire country is covered with the densest cultivation of long-standing growth, with vineyards, orchards, and vegetable gardens. . . . Owing to the extensive subdivision of land customary in this country, every property is surrounded by hedges, ditches, and walls. There are, consequently, numerous positions and isolated points at which even moderate troops could defend themselves behind good cover. Although the superior effect of the chassepot here ceased to avail, the mitrailleuses were in their true element, and became a dangerous weapon in the narrow passes." Dr. Maguire remarks: "I do not know how far you will be inclined to apply those remarks to the circumstances of your own country in the event of invasion. It might be a good lesson to try; for the several arms could be handled between Dover and London step by step." Later on he quotes from a British officer, who says: "In fact, Kent and Surrey combined, with vineyards instead of hop gardens, would be an exact picture of the country through which the Germans were pushing on."
There are numerous instances in this campaign where the mitrailleuse caused great loss to the Germans, and enabled the French to delay their advance and hold on to villages and positions with greatly inferior forces.
Remembering that the mitrailleuse of 1870
