As the British Expeditionary Force withdrew from Mons 24th August 1914, the 5th Division was in contact as it retreated. The Divisional Commander, General Ferguson became concerned about the security of his left flank, and consequently ordered the divisional reserve to blocking positions between Elouges and Audregnies. In addition the 2nd and 3rd Cavalry Brigades who were in the process of retreating south, were ordered back into the area.
The German Army continued their wheel south and were moving along the road towards Valenciennes, north of the British Flank Guard.
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Action at Elouges
View across the Elouges battlefield looking north form the British positions
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The 5th Divisional Reserve (1 Cheshire and 1 Norfolk) supported by 119 Battery Royal Field artillery deployed into blocking positions around lunch time and were soon engaged by German Aartillery., and the German infantry advanced in two columns.
To disrupt the attack, the 9th Lancers, tgether with two troops 4 Dragoon Guards were ordered to attack north into the German flank. Attacking along a roman road the cavalry thundered towards the attacking Germans.
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| Audregnies - Roman Road along which 9th Lancers charged |
The charging cavalry were halted by intense German infantry and artillery fire, as well as by ordinary agricultural barbed wire fences,their limit of explotation being a sugar factory. They were forced to withdraw south east following a railway track to Elouges. .
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| 9th Lancers charge at Audgregnies |
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| Audregnies - Sugar Factory |
