Tuesday, 25 March 2014

Mons - La Boit Haut

To the south east of Mons lies La Boit Haut. The feature dominates the area around Mons and vital ground to the BEF.

The position was held by 2 Royal Scots and 1 Gordon's and for the artillery of 40th Brigade RFA, it provided good observation and fields of fire. The artillery were able to bring effective shrapnel fire onto the advancing Germans causing heavy casualties. The artillery and infantyry fire protected the British flank which aided the withdrawal of troops from the Mons salient. La Boit haut was held till nightfall when units withdrew to new defensive positions south of Mons.

View East from La Boit Haut

Mons - Mariette

The First Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers were position on the Conde – Mons canal at Mariette. Two companies forward on the canal fought through most of the day, starting their withdrawal late afternoon.

1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers Mariette

Source: The Devils Carnival - First Northumberland Fusiliers

1 Northumberland Fusiliers position Mariette

To their east, L/Cpl Charles Jarvis of the Royal Engineers succeeding in blowing a bridge at Jemappes whilst under fire, earning a VC.

L/Cpl Jarvis winning the Victoria Cross

L/Cpl C Jarvis VC

L/Cpl Charles Jarvis VC

The Northumberland Fusiliers observed at attempt by another sapper, Captain Theodore Wright, to blow the bridge at Mariette whilst under intense infantry fire. Although unsuccessful, Captain Wright was awarded the VC.

Capt. T Wright Royal Engineers winning the VC at Mariette

Captain T Wright VC

Captain Theodore Wright VC

Mons - Nimy

The next position the Germans reached was Nimy, west of Obourg. It was here that the 4^th Royal Fusiliers held a road and rail bridge.

Nimy Rail Bridge

Nimy Road Bridge

As the German pressure grew, and with the Middlesex retreating on their right flank, the Fusiliers were forced to conform with the movement, and began their own withdrawal.

Nimy - attack on the bridge

The Battle of Mons – The 4th Battalion, The Royal Fusiliers at Nimy Railway Bridge

During this action Lieutenant Maurice Dease and private Sydney Godley held two battalions of German infantry manning a machine gun on Nimy Railway Bridge. They continued firing till their ammunition ran out. Both men were awarded the Victoria Cross, the first of the Great War. Dease was mortally wounded, and Godley was taken a Prisoner of War.

Nimy - VC action location

Lt Dease & Pvt Godley VC action Nimy Rail Bridge

Nimy Rail Bridge - VC Memorial

Lt Maurice Dease VC

Maurice James Dease VC

Pvt Sidney Godley VC

Sidney Frank Godley VC

Mons - Battle of Mons

On the eve of the Battle of Mons the British Expeditionary Force were preparing defensive positions in the area of Mons. To the east were I Corps, with II Corps along the Conde - Mons canal and around the town of Mons in a salient on the Central Canal.

To their north the German First Army were wheeling south west and the advance elements had been involved already in skirmishes with the BEF.

Lt Spears the Liaison Officer to the French Fifth army had told Field Marshall French about the position the French Army was in following the actions along the Sambre, and the intent of General Lanzerac to withdraw.

Field Marshall French stated he would hold the line for 24 hours then withdraw in order to conform with the French movements.