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| Battle of Le Cateau Right Flank - 5th Division |
The orders to stand fast at Le Cateau circulated to the battalions from 5;00 am to 6:00 am and the construction of hasty defences started. The preparation was short as 12 German batteries opened up on the division disrupting the activities. The British Gunners responded by firing upon the flashes of the German guns.
To the east of Le Cateau elements of the 1st Duke of Cornwall Light Infantry and 1st East Surrey's had not received the order to steadfast and were ready to move when they came under infantry fire from Germans who had infiltrated into the town. They then began a fighting withdrawal.
More batteries opened up on the 5th Division at 06:30 am and enemy skirmishers were able to mount point 150 on the Montay Spur to fire upon the British Gunners.
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| British Positions from Montay Spur |
The Germans dominated the high ground around Le Cateau and were able to enfilade the British Artillery around Le Cateau, in particular the 28th 28th Brigade RFA - 122 / 123 / 124 Batteries and 15th Brigade RFA - 11 / 52 / 80 batteries with the 37th (Howitzer) Battery supporting.
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| The Germans dominated the high ground around Le Cateau |
The 15th and 18th Brigades RFA in particular sustained heavy casualties. The Official History of the Great War records they "caused considerable losses: salvos of shells crashed down on gun after gun in succession, but the gunners stood to their work, and the supply of ammunition never failed". The German infantry advanced from Le Cateau, 11th Battery RFA manhandling their guns into position to engage the enemy, however by 10:00 am every officer had fallen and only 1 gun was left in action.
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| LE CATEAU 1914 |
The 2nd Suffolk were under intense pressure and the 2nd Manchesters and 1st Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders were sent to reinforce them. The gunners continued to fire and their efforts presented penetration beyond the Le Cateau to Cambrai Road. The Germans then moved heavy guns onto Point 150 on the Montay spur which silenced the last gun of 11 Battery.
By lunch time the German III Corps was closing on the right flank. 2 Suffolks and the Gunners were under heavy enfilading fire. At 1:00pm, the Divisional Commander reported to II Corps 5 division could give way to the sustained casualties. A lull in the German firing occurred around 1:20pm, allowing the gunners to extract some of their guns, the remaining guns had their breach blocks removed and their sights smashed.
The Division has asked to hold till preparations could be made for the general withdrawal of II Corps.
A resumption in the fighting led to a renewed German attack, and by 2:30 pm the force of 2nd Suffolks, 2nd Manchesters and the 1st Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders were overwhelmed. The survivors of 14 Brigade fell back to Remount, south of Le Cateau.
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| Suffolk Hill where the Suffolks , Manchesters and Argylls were over run |