Page 18 - Last Chargers example

Physical geography of the area of Moÿ
years in India and South Africa with an average length of service of ve years17. These soldiers were about to embark on a war against a pre- dominately conscript Germany army with no recent experience of war18. The Germans did not expect to have to ght the British as von Schlieffen’s plan discounted the likelihood of the British mobilising and coming to the aid of Belgium. Indeed, there were those in both the German Dragoons and the British Army (including Lance Sergeant James Taylor of the 9th Lancers) who were disappointed not to be ghting the French, ‘Germany, I thought we were off to have another go at the French’.19
Flank Guard to the Flank Guard
After the engagement at Mons the British Expeditionary Force retreated in two main columns separated by the Forêt de Mormal. The western column, consisting of II Army Corps (Lieutenant General Sir Horace
17 Charrington – 1 (Part, 1, p18)
18 The Battle of Mars La Tour (16th August 1870)
19 Anglesey p52
Smith-Dorrien) and the Cavalry Division (Major General Edmund Allenby) marched via Le Cateau, then to the west of St Quentin, to Ham and Noyon. The eastern column con- sisting of I Army Corps (Lieutenant General Douglas Haig), retired through Landrecies and Guise to La Fère.
The 5th Cavalry Brigade (Brigadier Sir Philip Chetwode) consisted of the Royal Scots Greys, 12th Lancers, 20th Hussars, and J Battery Royal Horse Artillery (RHA) and was des- ignated an Independent Cavalry Brigade. As such it was not part of the Cavalry Division but was attached to Haig’s I Corps – providing them with their only mobile elements.
On August 28th, I Corps was to move from Guise to La Fère. The enemy was known to be moving south-west towards St Quentin, while information regarding British II Corps and Cavalry Division was conspicuous in its absence. A western ank guard, consisting of the 5th Cavalry Brigade, 5th Infantry Brigade, and 36th Brigade Royal Field Artillery was therefore formed and placed under the command of Brigadier General HS Horne20. General Horne ordered his infantry to march down the east bank of the Oise21, retained one squadron of the 20th Hussars to operate with his Rear Guard, and directed the remainder of the 5th Cavalry Brigade to move down the west bank of the Oise.
Brigadier Chetwode kept the greater part of the Brigade under his direct control. His tactics were to send out small protective detachments of troop or squadron size to occupy areas of tactical importance so that at any time no more than two squadrons, or their equivalent, were detached from the Brigade. As the infantry column progressed southwards, the Cavalry Brigade’s main body would move to a new position whereupon fresh protec- tive detachments were sent out and those no
20 Staff Of cer for Artillery in the I Corps
21 Howard-Vyse p111
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