With Cavalry in 1915: The British Trooper in the Trench Line, Through the Second Battle of YpresColeman, Frederic
History
With Cavalry in 1915: The British Trooper in the Trench Line, Through the Second Battle of Ypres
Coleman, Frederic
World War, 1914-1918 -- Personal narratives
12.5 p.m.--Learn that there is a company of Royal Engineers
in the wood near the York and Lancaster headquarters, so send
them following order: "Proceed with Y. and L. guide to O.C. 9th
Lancers in Louave Wood, and ask him if he can find work for your
fifty men in consolidating the position on northern edge of wood."
12.15.--Germans attacking right of 9th Lancers' line and left of
A Squadron, 11th Hussars, with bombs. They are reported to have
broken the 9th Lancers' line at one point, but been driven out
again.
12.30.--Captain Lawson reports that section of trench held by
Territorials between his left and 9th Lancers has been captured
by Germans. They are working down his trench with bombs. The
captured section slopes up from the stream, and looks down on the
A Squadron trench.
12.35.--Interview the officer commanding 4th Yorks, explain the
situation, and tell him to take another company up, and with the
one already in the second line form a barrier behind the captured
portion, getting touch with the 9th Lancers on his left and the
11th Hussars on his right.
1.--Message sent to officer commanding 9th Lancers: "Have pushed
up a support to form a barrier behind the captured trench.
Endeavour to get touch with them from the switch trench. A
counter attack is now taking place from Potitjze towards Hooge."
1.30.--The pressure on the Menin Road seems to be relieved. The
Germans are still bombing down Lawson's trench, but A Squadron
are putting up a good fight with bombs. Lieut. Gunter has been
killed.
2.25.--Message sent by runner to Brigade headquarters. "At about
12.15 Germans captured portion of 9th Lancers' trench close to
11th Hussars' left. Company of East Yorks sent up to form barrier
behind broken line. Switch on 9th Lancers' right is now held
instead of advanced trench. Western edge of Hooge still held
by mixed force of men. Send me information of counter attack,
for if Germans establish themselves on Menin Road during the
night, position of brigade becomes untenable. If it is proposed
to retire from here it would have to be done at night. Please
inform Officer Commanding 83rd Brigade that I have had to call
on all the York and Lancasters except 250 men. Following is
disposition of line at present as known to me:--1st Brigade line
as taken over last night. 2nd Brigade--9th Lancers, weakened by
losses, with left on Menin Road; right broken but being secured.
Remainder of 9th Lancers, with York and Lancasters, have formed a
line right along north edge of wood facing north. They have two
machine-guns on their outer flank and patrols to the Menin Road."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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