by Griff Hosker
I heard the bugle sound the charge. The Germans had had enough and they began to stream away east. Doddy and Tiny were swinging their rifles like clubs and looked, for all the world, like some medieval warriors. I ran to the dead officer. He had a surprised look on his face. I took the pistol from his hand. Another second or two and I would be dead. It was my first souvenir. I took his holster and ammunition pouch too.
The rest of the troop appeared and I saw the relief on the sergeant’s face. “You are mad buggers! Why did you charge?”
Doddy shrugged, “It was bloody dangerous with that machine gun firing at us sarge.”
“That was brave work, I am proud of you.”
Just them Major Harrison appeared and took in the scene with the dead bodies. “Well done, sergeant.”
It was only then I realised I couldn’t see the lieutenant.
“It wasn’t me sir, it was Corporal Harsker and the Brown boys. They charged a flaming machine gun.”
Major Harrison shook his head. He was still the schoolmaster who couldn’t understand the schoolboy prank. “Write me a report sergeant. By the way where is Lieutenant Ramsden?”
“With the horses, sir.” There was no criticism in the sergeant’s voice; it was just matter of fact.
“Very well. Better get your men mounted. Search the officers and sergeants for any maps or papers.”
When the sergeant saw the missing gun and holster he grinned, “I see you got yourself a little reminder of this day?”
I blushed a little, “Well I…”
“Look after yourself Billy Boy, you are learning.”
We gave the papers to the major. He examined them and Lieutenant Ramsden shuffled up, looking a little shame faced. “Damned arm! I can’t move as fast as I wanted to.”
I saw the look exchanged between the major and the sergeant. They were not taken in by the protestations from the young lieutenant.
“From these maps and papers it seems that these men are from the 1st Army of Von Kluck. It looks like they are trying to sweep around the flanks of our army.”
Even I knew what that meant. We had to get through the whole of the 1st Army to reach our own lines. Lieutenant Ramsden was standing next to the major and I saw him pale. “Could we not go back to Dunkirk and get taken home?”
The pitying look given to him by both the old soldiers made him retreat. They did not bother answering him. “I’ll tell the colonel.” He looked at me. “Are you and your men still happy to be the sharp end, William?”
I smiled, “Yes sir, but I wouldn’t mind another couple of lads. If we use a horse holder then there are only three of us.”
He nodded at Sergeant Armstrong who said, “Take Lynch and Foster.”
The two troopers were quite happy to be selected. At this stage of the war it was exciting for young lads. It was all still a lark. The dark days had yet to come. I felt happier knowing there were six of us. It was more fire power.
The major waved me over. “We’ll try to avoid the Germans by heading due south towards Lys.”
We quickly watered and fed our horses; their welfare came first. I gathered the five men I was to lead around me. “If we are attacked we give five volleys. Listen for my orders. Jack, you and Robbie ride close to me. Brian, you and the Brown boys watch the woods. “I grinned, “They are good at that.” They nodded proudly. “But Tiny, even though you are a good soldier you are still a big bugger, keep your bleeding head down.”
He suddenly flourished a hat, like a conjuror with a rabbit, “I found it Corp!”
I took it from him and put my finger through the hole. “And that is how close your brother came to having to tell your mam that you were dead!” I could see he hadn’t thought it through and he contritely dropped his head. “Right, let’s get mounted.”
I felt more comfortable now with a trooper on either side of me. Our six eyes could cover more of the ground ahead of us. We were moving faster now. It ran the risk of running into the enemy but it was now a race to see if we could get to our army before the gap was closed.
Suddenly, as we rounded a bend in the road, I saw a machine gun being set up in the road. I had little time to think. The hedgerow was just four feet high and there was a field beyond. “Over the hedge! Now!” To their credit my section obeyed. I knew that Caesar would clear the obstacle and I hoped that the others would too. As I landed I turned, “Foster, get back to the sergeant and warn him about the machine gun. Tell him we will try to deal with it. The rest of you, follow me. And keep low in the saddle.”
The field was filled with wheat and was protected by a hedge. I knew that the machine gun would not be able to turn; we just needed to contend with the rifle men accompanying it. There was a lone tree close to the edge of the field. I rode there. “Tie you horses to the branches.”
Robbie looked at me, “Bit risky Corp? Suppose they run away?”
“You are right. You can be horse holder.”
He shook his head, “No, I was just saying like. You are in charge.”
“Good then let’s go. Spread out in a skirmish line; the Brown boys to my right. You two to my left. Don’t fire until I say.”
I heard orders being shouted in German and then the machine gun opened up. It wasn’t firing at us and I wondered who was getting the worst of its wicked bite. There was a crack from before us and then smoke from the guns of the hidden Germans.
“Down! Open fire!”
I saw a pair of legs below the hedge and I fired three shots. I heard a scream as their owner fell. I moved my gun up and to the left and fired three more. All I could hear now was the shouts of the Germans and the sound of bullets. I had no idea if we were hitting anyone.
“Forward!” As we ran towards the hedge I thought that a bayonet would come in handy. I had no idea why we had not been issued them. When we reached the hedge I could see the Germans on the other side. I think they were more surprised to see us. I didn’t need to give any orders I emptied my gun. I saw a gun being levelled at me and I remembered the officer’s Luger. I pulled it out of my tunic and hoped the safety was off. I pulled the trigger until the gun clicked empty. The remaining Germans held up their hands. We had our first prisoners. We climbed over the hedge, keeping them covered. All of us were grinning. This was easy. Then I heard Doddy say, “Jesus Christ!”
I looked to where he was pointing. In the road were the dead horses and trooper. The machine gun had been slaughtering them.
“You bastard!”
I turned as Tiny swung his rifle at the machine gunner. “Leave it out Brown, he was doing his job. Disarm them and search them for papers.” I saw that we had killed their officers and sergeants which explained their surrender. I desperately wanted to see who had been killed but I knew what my duty was.
“Robbie, go and get the horses.” I ran down the road to see where the Germans had gone. I could see them, in the distance, fleeing away from us. If it had been cavalry it would have been a different matter.
By the time I reached the scene of devastation and death Robbie had returned with the horses.
“Here you are Corp. These are all the papers and maps they had.” Doddy grinned as he handed them over. He proudly showed me his Luger. “And a little souvenir for me too.”
“Thanks Doddy. We’ll have to watch out for ammunition. These are nine millimetres I think.” I shoved the papers into my tunic. Mount up. I think we will be finding a different route this time. Move the prisoners along.”
We had six prisoners and two were wounded. Doddy glared at them as he shouted, “Move!” It was not German but they understood.
When we reached the rest of the troop I saw that we had lost at least six men and five horses. I watched as Sergeant Armstrong put the fifth out of its misery. The angry looks thrown in Lieutenant Ramsden’s direction told me who they blamed.
Colonel Mackenzie rode up and he had an angry red and serious face. “Put the dead in the wagons. Were there any papers amongst the dead?”
“
Yes sir.” I handed them over.
He nodded and gave them to Major Harrison, “This the chap you were telling me about?”
“Yes sir, Corporal Harsker.”
The colonel pointed down the road. “Your work, Corporal?”
“Yes sir, we flanked them and attacked the gun. I am just sorry we couldn’t save the lads sir.”
“Not your fault son.” He glared at the lieutenant. “Someone panicked. Well Corporal, as of now you are acting sergeant.”
“Thank you sir.”
“Don’t mention it. You have come out of the last couple of actions with great credit.” He turned to Major Harrison, “Well Charles, how do we get out of this dilemma?”
“Head for Calais sir.”
“Right. “ He turned and shouted, “Someone get these prisoners secured. Sergeant Harsker, do you have the map?”
“Yes sir.”
“Then find us a way to Calais but try to avoid Germans this time eh?” He was smiling as he said it and I felt relieved. I had blamed myself for the machine gunning of my comrades. I saw now that I was not responsible. As I mounted Caesar I saw Sergeant Armstrong smile and nod. He appeared happy and that pleased me.
Chapter 6
My first task as a sergeant, albeit acting and I completed it, successfully. We reached Calais without further incident and we set up a camp east of the port. There was still a great deal of confusion about where the front line was but the presence of the British and French warships in the harbour were reassuring.
Once we had erected the tents and seen to the horses I had time to speak with Sergeant Armstrong. “What happened, sarge?”
He smiled, “We are both sergeants now and it’s George.”
I nodded, “George then, but it will take some getting used to.”
“Mr Ramsden decided that we could charge the gun and reach it before they fired. He ordered the lads to charge.” He shook his head. “They never stood a chance. As soon as the first ones fell I shouted to fall back and then you and your boys attacked. That saved us. It was a waste of horses and men.”
“But why did he do it? It seems stupid.”
He gave me a wry look, “That may be your fault, Bill.”
“Mine?” I was mystified. I had been nowhere near him.
“Not directly of course, but everyone was going on, the major, the colonel, everyone, about how gutsy it was of you and the Brown boys to have attacked that emplacement the day before. The difference was he didn’t lead. He just ordered the charge.”
Quartermaster Sergeant Grimes walked in and saw me, “I hear you are sergeant now?”
“Yes Quartermaster Sergeant.”
“You’ve done well but just make sure it doesn’t go to your head. It’s only temporary, remember.”
He strode off. George shook his head, “He was always a miserable bugger but he is a good cavalryman.”
“It seems daft having two sergeants when the troop is only twenty odd men strong.”
“We should have a couple of corporals so you will have to do the work of two men. Mind, those Brown boys look useful.”
“They are but they tend to rush into things; a bit like the lieutenant.”
George’s face became serious, “No, Bill, he just sends others to do his dirty work. I don’t think his uncle was impressed.”
Over the next two days we sent out patrols to see where the Germans were. Thankfully they were further east than we were. Orders finally arrived for the brigade to continue its move south to rejoin the BEF which was now digging in around Amiens. Once again we decamped and, once again, it was left to our troop to scout. We had organised the troop so that I had my nine scouts and Sergeant Armstrong led the rest. We had discounted the lieutenant who was a nominal leader at best. He now deferred to George on almost every matter. We would not have to ride the gauntlet of death which our dead comrades had.
Doddy and I had managed to acquire some ammunition for our Lugers. I suspect the colonel would have disapproved but it was handy having a gun which could fire eight shots off even quicker than a rifle. We now had better intelligence than when we had moved south from Dunkirk. The armies of both the French and British were retreating towards Paris and Von Kluck’s Corps were ahead of us. We had grown up in the last week and were much more cautious. We checked every bush and hedge to see what lurked behind it. The colonel came to see us as we were preparing to leave.
“The main column will keep to the roads but, Sergeant Harsker, your men can roam at will. You have shown how resourceful you are and the country hereabouts is perfect for cavalry; use it. Find the enemy before he finds us!”
“Yes sir.”
He turned to Lieutenant Ramsden, “And lieutenant, keep in close contact with the rest of the regiment.”
“Yes sir.” We could all hear the warning in the colonel’s words.
I was happy to have the freedom to ride across the open fields. It meant we were less likely to run into an enemy ambush. I knew that it would be unlikely that they would set up an ambush; they were chasing the French and British towards Paris. Once again we had to find a way through the German Corps.
I had already checked the map out and saw a number of places where we could cut across country where the roads curved. It was an uneventful patrol until early in the afternoon. Doddy suddenly hissed, “There Corp, sorry, Sarge.”
I saw where he was pointing. There were lances visible above the hedgerow which lined the road. “Jack, ride back to Sergeant Armstrong and tell him there are lancers on the road ahead. The brigade will have to head further west.” I quickly scanned the map. They would be able to take a side road but it would add another five miles to our journey. The colonel had hoped to rejoin the army by nightfall.
I took out my rifle and the rest followed suit. “Let’s get a closer look at them. Keep low in the saddle.”
Once again our brown uniforms helped us to blend in with the freshly tilled field over which we rode. Soon we could see the grey uniforms riding along the road. I dismounted and handed my reins to Doddy. I whispered, “Keep the men here.”
I trotted over to the hedge which was thirty yards away and peered through. I could see down the road and this looked to be the lead regiment. They were Uhlans, much like the ones we had encountered the first day. As I peered left I could see the infantry stretching away to the north. If the sergeant and the regiment had continued on their road they would have run slap bang into them.
I turned and ran back to Caesar. Suddenly there was the crack of a rifle. I had been spotted. I leapt on Caesar’s back. If we rode back to the troop then I would be leading the Germans to the regiment. I had to lay a false trail and that meant heading south. A line of Uhlans emerged through a gap lower down the field.
“Give them five shots and then follow me.” I knew that we could not hope to hit many but I wanted them to be wary of us. I aimed at the lead rider and then lowered my gun slightly. I fired five times and then shouted, “Follow me!” We had managed to hit a couple of them but they were now galloping obliquely to cut us off. I put my rifle in its boot and urged Caesar on. I kept glancing over my shoulder. Caesar could out run anything and I had to keep my patrol together.
I saw a fence looming up and we soared over it. My handpicked men were also good riders and they followed suit. The Uhlans were no slouches when it came to riding but they had lances and they came over slightly slower than we had. A lead began to open. A second fence was cleared and I began to think that we might escape. Suddenly we struck the road and another squadron of Uhlans was hurtling down towards us. They must have taken the road to cut us off.
“Doddy, lead them west. I’ll follow.” I took out my rifle. I had five shots left in the magazine and I emptied them in the direction of the Germans. A horse and rider fell. I booted my rifle and turned to follow my men. I soon caught up with Robbie who was at the rear. The going was easier but the hedgerows on both sides prevented an easy escape. I glanced over my shoulder and saw that the leading la
ncers were closing fast. I took out the Luger. As I turned I saw that the lance with its fluttering guidon was barely five feet from Caesar’s rump. I opened fire with the gun and saw the horror on the German’s face as four shots struck him and his horse. They tumbled to the ground and the others had to slow to clear the dead horse and rider. Once again I had bought us some time but I had emptied my gun. My only weapon now would be my sword and that would be no match for the lances.
I began to overtake my men; Caesar was eating up the ground. I saw a gap in the hedge ahead. “Doddy! Take the gap!” He raised his hand in acknowledgement and the patrol hurtled through. I saw, ahead, a derelict barn. We would have to hold them there. I needed to make sure that the brigade could slip by this German advance.
“Head for the barn. Take cover and then fire at the Uhlans.” I was counting on the fact that they might only have handguns. It also meant we would give the horses a breather. This could be a long chase.
The barn had broken doors at each end. We had an escape route if we needed it. As soon as we were through we flung ourselves from our mounts. Doddy and Tiny were already firing even as I tied Caesar to a wooden rail. I drew my rifle and began loading the magazine. As soon as it clicked home I brought the gun up and fired at the grey uniforms heading towards us. The nine rifles spat lead at a prodigious rate. The Uhlans were in a single column and the wall of bullets scythed through the leading riders. The ones at the rear broke away and spread around the barn.
“Doddy, you and Tiny stay here with Robbie. The rest of you come with me.”
We ran to the rear doors and reached it just as the lancers wheeled around the side of the barn. We had no time to aim. We just fired at them. Inevitably some of the shots hit horses but we hit enough Uhlans to make them withdraw. I saw Eddie Low holding his leg. “What’s up Eddie?”