Page 19 - Last Chargers example

Capt Freiherr von Buddenbrock
longer required were ordered to re-join. In the case of mounted troops this method of ank protection, similar in concept to picqueting, was probably preferable to sending out detach- ments which remained out continuously and moved parallel to the Main Body22.
The task of the Brigade may therefore be characterised as that of ‘Flank Guard to the Flank Guard.’ This was a mission for which the mounted troops were particularly well adapted, as they were able to throw out detachments to some distance. In addition, the countryside was wide and open, like that of Salisbury Plain and South Africa. It afforded good observation and allowed them to make full use of their mobility in a manner done many times before23.
22 Howard-Vyse p112
23 Howard-Vyse p112
Capt Charrington
Moÿ de l’Aisne
The 12th Lancers did not get into its camp bivouac near Bernot until after midnight on 27th/28th August, with Captain Charrington (the Regimental Signals Of cer) immediately ordered to ride off to Brigade Headquarters, four or ve miles away,to report the Regiment’s position and ask for orders for the next day. Almost immediately he was instructed to go back and tell the Regiment to ‘turn out’ at once. He arrived back at approximately 3am and the Regiment was immediately turned out while the remainder of the Brigade moved out to a position of observation south-east of St Quentin. Most of the men and horses had barely three hours’ rest while Charrington’s own horse had none24. The Regiment marched at daybreak through Neuvillette, and halted beyond the town. The weather was cold, foggy and wet25, and it was only here, during a half-hour pause in the movement, that an Army Service Corps (ASC) of cer accompanied by
24 Charrington – 1 (Part 3, p11)
25 J Battery
13