The Grenadier Guards in the Great War of 1914-1918, Vol. 3 of 3Ponsonby, Frederick
History
The Grenadier Guards in the Great War of 1914-1918, Vol. 3 of 3
Ponsonby, Frederick
Great Britain. Army. Grenadier Guards; World War, 1914-1918 -- Regimental histories -- Great Britain
Lord Lascelles received instructions to support
a cavalry patrol of the Oxfordshire Hussars, which had been sent out
through the 1st Battalion Coldstream on the left. He was surprised at
this message, for he knew that no cavalry patrol could possibly go out
in the face of this machine-gun fire, and when the officer commanding
the patrol appeared at the Battalion Headquarters to say that it had
been unable to go forward at all, he was able to disregard the order,
and send in a report asking for confirmation of his action. In the
evening orders were received to establish an outpost line with two
companies over the Cambrai--Beauvois road, with two companies in
support near Estourmel. That night a warning order was received for a
farther advance the next morning, and the Battalion Headquarters moved
up to Grand Chanfemel.
[Sidenote: Oct. 10.]
The next morning the 1st Battalion Scots Guards passed through the
outpost line, and continued the advance by bounds, while the Battalion
moved forward in support. No. 3 Company on the right, under Lieutenant
Anson, and No. 4, under Captain Bunbury, formed the support, with the
other two companies in reserve. In the afternoon the Scots Guards were
held up west of St. Hilaire, and were ordered to establish an outpost
line for the night. Nos. 3 and 4 Companies were placed under the orders
of the Officer Commanding the 1st Battalion Scots Guards, while two
companies of the 1st Battalion Coldstream were sent up to take their
place.
On the 11th the 1st Guards Brigade passed through the outpost line, and
continued the advance, while the Battalion went into very comfortable
billets in St. Hilaire, where the German baths were used. On the 13th
the 2nd Guards Brigade passed through with the 3rd Battalion Grenadiers
on the right, the 1st Battalion Coldstream on the left, and the 1st
Battalion Scots Guards in reserve. These Battalions were ordered to be
at immediate notice to move in case the 3rd Guards Brigade, which was
crossing the Selle River, should require assistance, but the warning
orders were later cancelled; and that night the Battalion relieved the
2nd Battalion Scots Guards in the front line along the Selle River.
Second Lieutenant Gunther with a patrol of eight men crossed the river,
and surprised a German whom he gagged and brought back. He reported
that the enemy seemed in a sleepy and disorganised state, and Lord
Lascelles accordingly asked for permission to push a company across the
river that night, but was told instead to establish a bridgehead on the
following night north of St. Python.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account