The Battle Book of Ypres by Beatrix Brice

Author:Beatrix Brice
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781473843028
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Published: 2017-05-20T16:00:00+00:00

CENTRE SECTOR, SOUTH OF THE MENIN ROAD

On the 22nd October the interception of an enemy order warned the troops south of the Menin Road to expect a vigorous attack south of the Becelaere—Zandwoorde position, a sector which was held by part of the 7th Division and the 3rd Cavalry Division; but although heavily shelled, the position was not attacked until the 26th, when the loss of Kruiseecke (the apex of an acute salient) on their north threatened a grave disaster. To assist in covering the retirement of the 20th Infantry Brigade at the position to the north the Royal Horse Guards—in reserve in the Klein Zillebeke Wood—were called upon to make a demonstration. They effected their purpose by galloping eastward over Zandwoorde Ridge and threatening the enemy’s flank. The Germans turned to meet them and the attack on the 7th Division was consequently checked. As evening fell, the squadrons were able to withdraw. Next day the 7th Division moved over and took the line from the Menin Road down to Zandwoorde, a front of 3,000 yards. On the night of the 26th the 3rd Cavalry Division had dug in by Zandwoorde. This line, the northern end of the Cavalry Corps, was so thinly held that the men were scattered in such small parties as to be almost invisible, and in view of the risky outlook, General Allenby collected a small corps reserve from each brigade of the 2nd Cavalry Division and 1st Battery R.H.A. at Klein Zillebeke. The German attack broke upon this line on the 30th October, and during the battle that followed the odds against us here were 6 to 1 in rifles and horse and field artillery. The first day they made no impression at all on the British south of the road, but in front of Zandwoorde the fire of a number of heavy guns was concentrated on the trenches of the 1st and 2nd Life Guards in the early morning, blasting them to pieces. The cavalrymen stuck it out, until at 8 a.m. an order came to withdraw. The Germans reached the Zandwoorde Ridge by 10 o’clock and were then in a position to enfilade the Infantry Brigade from the north, overwhelming the nearest battalion, but reinforcements were hastily thrust forward and a fresh line formed west of Zandwoorde, covering the gap. During the afternoon the attack died away, and in spite of the apparently irresistible advance of the early hours, the enemy between Gheluvelt and Zandwoorde had been brought to a standstill. Farther south the German guns were moved near during the morning of this day, and concentrated upon a sector of the I Cavalry Brigade around Hollebeke Village. Many of the trenches were blown in, and the cavalry wheeled back into the open, clear of the village, but holding the Canal Bridge. The regiments of the 2nd Cavalry Division gradually withdrew to the prepared position along Ypres Ridge, the I Cavalry Brigade being along the Canal to the Bridge, and the line south-east of Ypres was stabilised by the end of the day.

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