Le Cateau - Battle Left Flank

The British 4th Division were not part of the British Expeditionary Force's initial deployment , being retained in the United Kingdom to perform home defence duties until the Territorial Force were fully mobilised.

They commenced their deployment to France 22nd August, and concentrated in the area of Le Cateau. By the eve of the battle they were still without cavalry reconnaissance troops. Under the command of Lt General Snow, who agreed to Smith- Dorien's request to join II Corps, they were located on the left flank of the Le Cateau battlefield.

Along the left flank ran the Warnelle Ravine, with the 11th Brigade on the right, and some other battalions of 10th and 12th Brigades deployed forward of the feature.



View across the Warnelle Ravine from near 4th Division Headquarters.







 

The key locations for the division were Ligny, Haucourt and Esnes

Le Cateau - 4th Division key locations

The orders for the 4th Division to stand fast were not received till 05:00, the artillery not receiving them till 30 minutes later. When German artillery opened fire on the division at 06:00, the preparations for defence were not advanced, and guns were just coming into position.

The 1st Lancashire Regiment came under pressure, and 2 companies of 2 / Warwicks were sent forward to extract them. They were driven back, and the Lancashire's were forced to withdraw sustaining heavy casualties.

German cavalry then engaged the 1st Royal Inniskillen's, however, the British line held.

Le Cateau - British infantry hold German cavalry attack.

However, the Germans were able to progress to the exposed flank of 12th Brigade on the left, and there was a threat of an envelopment manoeuvre. By 8:45, Brigadier General Wilson commanding 12th Brigade assessed that retirement was imperative.

Troops were withdrawn to the south of the Warnelle Ravine, 2 company's of 1 Warwick's counter attacking to support the withdrawal of 12 Brigade, and by 10:30, the withdrawal of the brigade was complete.

A strong attack on 12th Brigade at Esnes brought fresh pressure to the left flank, and at 2pm, the order for retirement were issued. The11th Brigade withdrew to Ligny, and despite multiple German attacks on 12th Brigade, effective artillery shrapnel and rapid infantry fire caused the attacks to fail inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy.

To the west of 4th division, Gneral Sordet's French Cavalry Division in the area of Cambrai wwere able to engage the Germans, securing the 4th Division's flank, and by 5pm the 4th Division began to withdraw.