I've been watching the original 1964 BBC series "The Great War" Episodes 1 to 6 cover the period under discussion. One great advantage of this documentary series is that you have lots of interviews given by people who were there. By and large they back Keith's three contentions.

On the battles of Mons, Le Cateau, the Marne and Ysers Christmas would be greatly surprised by the comments made by the British soldiers who took part in all those actions (All terrible, blunders and defeats according to Christmas - There again it would not be the first time that he has categorically stated that he knew better than the people who were there). After being engaged and having been forced into a fighting retreat at Mons and at Le Cateau, according to those who actually fought in those battles, on being ordered to halt to turn and advance and attack the German Army the uplift in morale and general attitude throughout the BEF was massive.