204 THE YPRES TIMES After a brisk gallop, each man outvying his comrade to get at the enemy now fleeing helter-skelter, Captain Hornby found himself up against a full squadron of German Uhlans, which in turn fled from the oncoming British swords. Major Bridges coming on with the remainder of the squadron in support, now joined in the pursuit. The retreating Uhlans were presently joined by several troops of German Hussars who had been scouting in the fields adjoining the roadway. The thing became a rout. The happy British lads could not restrain themselves as they came up with the heavy-weight German cavalry at the bottom of a slight hill. Wildly cheering, their swords at the engage, the Dragoons drove right in amongst the sweating Uhlans and hapless Hussars. Right and left they cut and thrust at the hurrying Huns, many of whom had thrown away their long lances. German hands were thrown up. Hectic cries of Kamarad," often ignored, rent the air. Many tried to surrender, but were not given much opportunity. Others were dismounted in the mêlée, and still others were taken prisoner. By this time the pursuit had taken our men into the midst of the village, and some firing from the windows of houses alongside the road began to harass the Dragoons. But the pursuit was continued until Hornby was brought up by rifle fire from the German troops stretched across the road. Wheeling instantly, Hornby led his men into the grounds of a chateau, where he dismounted and returned fire. The remaining troops of the squadron now came up in support. The question of removing prisoners and getting away those of our men whose horses had been shot, was solved by requisitioning carts and other light transport, some of which was supplied by an English trainer who lived near at hand, and who had been watching and cheering our troops as they dashed down the road. Ahead of our position could 'be seen, on a hill 400 yards distant, a number of German cyclists and some entrenchments. Major Bridges concluded that he was in contact with a German division, and, having gained his objective, he decided to withdraw as speedily as possible to avoid being outflanked. The enemy was evidently surprised, puzzled and demoralized, for no further attempt to advance was made. This was the first contact in the war between the British and the Germans, and Captain Hornby was the first officer to draw blood when he engaged a German officer and ran him through the neck. He was awarded the D.S.O. for conspicuous gallantry. Just two months later he was severely wounded in Ploegsteert Wood, when the 4th Dragoon Guards came up to support the 18th Hussars and the British infantry on a bloodstained morning on the edge of the forest facing Le Gheer. Later in the day another episode demonstrated British gallantry against great odds, when the Somerset Light Infantry, relieving the harassed Dragoons, swept into the village of Le Gheer, and at the point of the bayonet hurled the Germans from entrenched positions with terrible slaughter. But that is another story. To return to C Squadron. Rejoining their division with the first German prisoners taken in the war, they had a rousing reception, and the Brigadier, H. de B. de Lisle, issued the following Operation Order in connection with this engagement "The Brigadier desires to congratulate the 4th Dragoon Guards on the spirited action of two troops of the squadron on reconnaissance, which resulted in establishing the moral superiority of our cavalry from the first, over the German cavalry."

HISTORISCHE KRANTEN

The Ypres Times (1921-1936) | 1929 | | pagina 14