Page 27 - Last Chargers example

Col Graf von Gessler
mounts. A stampede ensued which left the Dragoons in the open eld without their horses. Orders were given to No 4 Squadron from 1st Garde Dragoner to move forward and support the left wing of No 2 Squadron of 1st Garde Dragoner68. Colonel Graf von Gessler ordered Lieutenant Heinrich Graf von Finckenstein from 2nd Garde Dragoner to move forward and report on the situation of the dismounted squadrons. On arriving at the eld adjacent to Puisieux Farm (where the other German squadrons were dismounted) he joined Lieutenant Graf von Schwerin’s69 men from 1st Garde Dragoner70. Although subsequently given the order to return to their horses, these had by now disappeared and the order issued to Lieutenant Graf von Schwerin to withdraw was never received. It was here that von Schwerin would later die71.
On his return from his reconnaissance, Captain Bryant informed the Commanding Of cer
68 Gayling p21
69 Note von Schwerin’s relatives name is on the 1870 memorial
on p93
70 Gessler p24
71 Gayling p21 – “terrible head injury”
Capt Michell
that the dead ground immediately in front of the German position had allowed him to get within about 50 yards of them without being seen. It would be an ideal opportunity for a charge as it would be possible to move C Squadron while the Germans were distracted by the re from the Greys, A and B Squadrons, the machine guns and J Battery. Wormald responded: ‘We had better go and see what damage we have done’ before leading C Squadron who crawled back to their horses and mounted up72.
The Charge
Led by the Commanding Of cer and their Squadron Leader (Captain Michell), C Squadron cantered in column of troops and sections down the ridge and, going half-right, made for the opposite slope. The Squadron advanced, unseen, at the ‘Walk’ under the ridgeline occupied by the enemy. Initially some of the soldiers thought they were
21
72 Martin