The Battle for Flanders by Chris Baker

Author:Chris Baker [Baker, Chris]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: History, Military, World War I
ISBN: 9781844685929
Google: gAXMDwAAQBAJ
Publisher: Casemate Publishers
Published: 2011-07-12T00:43:03+00:00

Chapter 6

‘La bataille d’ Hazebrouck est finie’

14 April

From their safe and plush base at Versailles, Hereward Wake and his staff of E Section of the British staff at the Supreme War Council were able to collate intelligence reports and make an objective appraisal of the situation in Flanders. Late on 13 April he submitted a paper which, after pointing out that the German attack had so far pushed a salient into British lines that had the effect of extending the front by 8 miles, suggested that

The Germans will most probably use all available forces to continue their advance as quickly as possible with the object of seizing Hazebrouck and the Poperinghe–Cassel road, and cutting off the British north of Bailleul. They will count on the late arrival of British and French reinforcements, and on the decision to withdraw from the northern sector being too late. They may also attack from the north-east towards Bethune and Lillers with the object of turning the left flank of the troops holding Givenchy and south of that place. The date on which a further serious attack on the salient can take place is uncertain. The divisions present in line are probably worn out and will be relieved, while it will take two or possibly three days to deploy what is deemed to be sufficient artillery in the flat muddy country to support the attack. The Germans will not continue attacking, as they have done today, without artillery support, in view of the increased resistance met with.173

Yet that is exactly what the enemy intended to do, albeit with Ypres as the objective rather than the more strategic targets that Wake believed they would go for. By the end of 14 April, with Sixth Army's results having been so disappointing for the fourth day running, von Quast's Chief of Staff LieutenantColonel Ritter von Lenz would have recognised the fundamental sense behind Wake's forecast. The transport and supply difficulties and the fact that attacks were now being made without sufficient artillery support short-changed the infantry and added up to failure. For another day of effort and losses, Sixth Army had achieved only a short advance near Méeteren; elsewhere it had been repulsed and even lost ground. Fourth Army's influence in the battle rose as it shook the British out of Neuve Eglise and closed in on Bailleul. The results of this and the previous day swung the direction of the offensive inexorably from its original goals and increasingly towards Ypres.

Von Quast's single success derived from three heavy attacks delivered during the day by 81 Reserve Division at Méteren, although the orders for the day had once again also been to take the Nieppe Forest, Strazeele and Bailleul. The weather had taken a turn, for it dawned cold and very windy, with occasional showers from a glowering low cloud. This immediately presented the defence with an advantage. There was little chance of the Germans using concentrations of gas, and for once they could be seen assembling and advancing.

On

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