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."