Page 95 - QDG Volume 9 No. 2 2021

1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards
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temporarily forced the enemy rate of fire to subside. This bought sufficient time for the second machine gun to be set up on its tripod and for the rest of C Squadron to take up position along the bank. Webb’s tripod was brought up at the same time and once the second Vickers started firing, he paused to mount his own gun. It also enabled L Battery to get to their guns and manually swing them around to face the enemy.
To Algie Lamb, it seemed as though ‘practically all their horses and a big percentage of their men’ had been wiped out in minutes. Had it not been for the swift action of LCpl Webb, the whole of L Battery would have been wiped out before they could fire a shot. The survivors, each to a man, sent letters of gratitude to LCpl Webb. Winston Churchill personally sent him his Mention In Dispatches.
As more of C Squadron arrived, and more ammunition for the machine guns, the Bays began to dominate the German positions. As the sun rose, the mist started to disperse. 15th and 16th Hussars (known as the Death Heads due to their cap badge) on foot, supported by the mounted 17th and 18th Dragoons, were preparing to advance down the hill and sweep through the southern defences and around the beet factory.
The heavy fire from the Bays made that completely impossible. The Hussars were forced to advance on foot through the maize fields which had still not been cut. Unlike the British Cavalry, they were not routinely trained to fight dismounted. They were easy meat for the Vickers. The Machine Gun Troop succeeded in silencing the eight artillery guns and as the mist finally lifted, they were able to pick off any Germans trying to approach their artillery and attempting to recom- mence the bombardment. The Germans gave up all attempts to either operate their guns or take them to a safer position. Lt Lamb, smoking a pipe throughout, spent most of this time filling gun belts and directing the fire. All through the two hour battle, the guns did not suffer one single jam. Of the eight in the gun teams, and facing three regiments of dismounted cavalry, they only had one casualty, Private Ellicock who was hit in the shoulder whilst bringing up more ammunition boxes. He carried on until he was hit again in the neck and was forced to retire. Sadly, he died a month later.
At about 8.45am, the Germans broke off the engagement. They had reached a standstill, with ammunition running short for both their artillery guns and carbines. The 5th Dragoon Guards had made a good account of themselves and forced the Germans to divert south towards the sugar beet factory. Ironically, this applied more pressure on the Bays and as the Germans took the factory, B Squadron came forward to attack. It was then that Lt Champion de Crespigny was killed, but they successfully took back control. At the same time, British reinforcements were arriving from 19 Brigade and the 4th Infantry Division. So finally, the Germans retreated over the crest in front of the town in complete disorder. Machine gun fire from Lt Lamb prevented the Germans from retrieving their guns and eight were later captured by B Squadron - the first guns to be captured in the war.
The casualties on both sides were substantial.
The Germans lost about 180 men and about 230 horses.
The Bays lost one officer, Lt Champion de Crespigny who was on secondment from the KDG, and eight other ranks with eight officers and thirty-one ORs wounded.
In total the Bays lost 150 horses, the worst ever loss of animal life after the Charge of the Light Brigade. The entire Brigade lost nearly 650 horses.
The Bays’ losses were almost as high as L Battery.
But this action by the Bays ensured that the 1st Cavalry Brigade was not routed, thus preventing the encirclement of the entire BEF.
All members of the Machine Gun Troop received Mention in Dispatches, but Ellicock was also awarded the DCM. Unlike many better known engagements, there was no need for publicity and exaggeration. Had the Bays failed, WW1 would have had a different outcome. But remarkably, this was the first time the British had defeated the Germans since the start of the War. Furthermore, the advance was stopped, Paris was saved and the Germans never managed to gain more ground.
The Bays’ performance was not only heroic, but really did change the course of the war.
Lt Lamb’s sword was the one he carried at Néry. It was made by Wilkinson and initialled with AJRL and engraved with the Bays cap badge. As usual with the Bays, they paid cursory attention to dress regulations and had not adopted the 1912 pattern sword as required, but continued to use the 1887 pattern.
This acquisition, as well as RSM Barlow’s medal, help maintain the culture, traditions and justifiable pride felt by all ranks in being part of this very fine Regiment.
JB-H