Page 38 - Last Chargers example

Paul Maze
interpreter and had been watching from the area of their dismounted squadron. As the action came to a close he ran down the valley to take a closer look, arriving as a few Germans who were hiding in the corn-stooks were being prodded out with lances and swords amongst the sound of fearful yells. The horses were still very excited, as were the men, who were showing one another blood dripping off their sword blades, while others were busy picking up souvenirs – helmets, lances and swords.
In the midst of this, Maze propped up a wounded German Dragoon who was vomit- ing quantities of undigested, unripe, gooseber- ries and who had a sword thrust through his chest. In broken English, he him told him that he had only left the Ritz in London twenty days before, where he had been a waiter. Maze asked him whether they were the vanguard of a large force of Cavalry and received the reply that several divisions were in the vicinity. The information was immediately written down and sent to the Commanding Of cer. Later
Sgt Bushell
a Squadron of the Greys arrived on the eld, their swords in their scabbards, to witness the scene, while the senior non-commissioned of cer assigned to look after Maze arrived, cursing him for leaving the Squadron114.
It was while the Greys were arriving and the casualties were being collected that Captain Dendie, whose section of J Battery was limber- ing up, claimed to see another advance party of enemy Dragoons on the reverse slope. Taking advantage of the target he ordered his guns to re-open re. The four guns115 lengthened their range and set fuses to sweep the hollow behind the crest in a barrage that proved highly effective against the formed German troops in the valley116. This opportune intervention gave the Brigade time to withdraw at leisure, though it is also marked as the time that Major Swetenham’s trumpeter arrived with a horse
114 Maze p47
115 J Battery – Joined by No1 Section (No 2 Section watched
the ank) 116 J Battery
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