The First Seven Divisions: Being a Detailed Account of the Fighting from Mons to YpresHamilton, Ernest, Lord
History
The First Seven Divisions: Being a Detailed Account of the Fighting from Mons to Ypres
Hamilton, Ernest, Lord
World War, 1914-1918 -- Campaigns -- Western Front
Accordingly Sir Douglas Haig, quick to realize that the events of the
next few hours would decide the making or marring of the campaign, sent
out an ultimatum to the effect that the line to which we had now been
driven, _i.e._, from Gheluvelt to the corner of the canal north of
Hollebeke, was to be held at all costs. Concurrently an urgent appeal
was sent to General Allenby to send up with all possible speed any and
all regiments available. Allenby sent the Scots Greys and the 3rd and
4th Hussars--all from different brigades. The Greys and the 3rd
Hussars arrived first on the scene, and passed across to the left flank
of the 6th C.B., filling up, in fact, the gap between that brigade and
General Bulfin's (2nd) Brigade on its left. The 4th Hussars, who had
further to come, arrived in time to take up a position on the right of
the Royals (who were the right-hand regiment of the 6th C.B.), and
carry on the line of defence beyond the railway. The position then was
that the line of the three regiments of the 6th C.B. was extended by
the 3rd Hussars and Greys on the left, and by the 4th Hussars on the
right.
The 7th C.B., who had concentrated at the little village of Zwartelen
in rear of the 6th C.B., now sent off two squadrons of the Blues to
support the Royals, who were holding the château at Hollebeke. This
château lies on the low ground to the east of the canal, whereas
Hollebeke itself is on the west side. The château was considerably in
advance of the line which was ordered to be held, and with Zandvoorde
gone was of no strategic importance. This combined force held off the
enemy for some hours, during which time Sergt. McLellan, of the Royals,
especially distinguished himself by several acts of great gallantry,
but by midday the château had to be abandoned and was occupied by
German infantry. Except for this loss, the cavalry line held its ground
throughout the day. There was no further infantry attack, but it had to
stand a severe shelling all through the afternoon, and its casualties
were numerous, among those of the 10th Hussars being Captain Kinkead,
Captain Fielden, Captain Stewart and the Hon. H. Baring.
The R. Sussex, too, in General Bulfin's 2nd Brigade, on the left of the
cavalry, came in for their full share of the bombardment and suffered
very severely, Col. Crispin and Lieuts. Croft, Marillier and Lousada
being killed.
At five o'clock in the afternoon the five cavalry regiments were
relieved by Lord Cavan's Brigade, the 2nd Grenadier Guards under Major
Lord Bernard Lennox[11] taking over the position on the canal--later on
to become famous under the name of Hill 60, while the Irish Guards
continued the line on their left. The line was still further
strengthened on the following morning by the addition of the
Oxfordshire Light Infantry from the 5th Brigade, and the 2nd Gordon
Highlanders from the 20th Brigade, these two battalions being added to
General Bulfin's command, which was on the left of Lord Cavan's.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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