Just a matter of weeks after declaring war on Germany, 80,000 members of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) along with 30,000 horses and 315 guns of assorted size and calibre had landed in France and were heading straight for an enemy that were on their way through Belgium and onwards to Paris.
It was on 22nd August 1914 that the British got their first glimpse of a German soldier. During a routine reconnaissance patrol four enemy calvarymen of the 2nd Cuirassiers were spotted by a forward patrol of the 4th Royal Irish Dragoon Guards, who immediately gave chase and opened fire. Captain Hornby of 1st Troop led the charge, killing several. He returned with his sword presented, covered in German blood.
Meanwhile, to the rear, the rest of the BEF decided to entrench roughly along a loose line at the Mons-Conde. They didn't really know how many Germans were on the other side of the waterway - but they would soon find out. Less than 80,000 British troops with 300-odd pieces of artillery were about to face off against 160,000 enemy soldiers who could boast twice as many artillery guns.
That mighty set of German guns opened up at dawn on 23rd August with the first full scale infantry attack of the war commencing at 9am. Their objective was to take control of the bridges that crossed the canal and once in possession these bridges they would the push on directly to the British lines and beyond.
They advanced across open country in close formation, making a perfect target for the trained British riflemen, who, unsurprisingly, wrought veritable havoc amongst the massed ranks of German attacking troops. By noon, progress was minimal, yet the bodies were beginning to pile up all around.
However, all through this time the German artillery were working overtime and the BEF had little to no cover. Very quickly the situation became desperate for the British, yet they hung on for six hours before blowing the bridges over the canal and retreating to a pre-designated second-line position a few miles away. The Germans were tired and disorganised and failed to press home any advantage despite their huge numerical superiority. German reserves were called up and orgnanised for a fresh attack in the evening. It was at this point the British commanders finally realised the size of the enemy - in their minds they had lost enough men already and promptly ordered a retreat.
The survivors were organised, rounded up and the order was given: a fighting retreat towards Maubeuge and then onto Le Cateau, almost twently miles away.
Every house where British could be concealed, every possible observation post, every foot of trench, every hill-crest and 400 yards behind it was swept and devestated by the tornedo...
Now batteries and battalions found themselves cut off from their neigbours, each fighting and carrying on by itself. Chetwode's Cavalry Brigade was caught in the thik of it.
The Guards held on almost by their teeth. The cavalry had to go; and the Munsters and Black Watch lost heavily as they covered the retirement.
Major A. Corbett Smith, Royal Field Artillery
Text and quote taken from 5 Minute Histories: First World War Great Battles by Scott Addington (me!)
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