BRILLIANT CHARGE BY BRITISH LANCERS

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2247, 5 September 1914, Page 7

BRILLIANT CHARGE BY BRITISH LANCERS

GERMAN GUNNERS CUT DOWN v WOUNDED CAPTAIN LEADS PARTY TO RESCUE GUNS London, September 3. lhe outstanding incident of the retreat was the charge of the Ninth Lancers. Eleven German siege guns were posted inside a wood. Their first- fire caused terrible loss to our men, who had not suspected the presence of the bernians, as they wero hidden by great quantities of forage, giving an appearance of tall haystacks. After fevaral hours it was found impossible to silence them, so the Lancers rode straight at the guns; debouching into the open and charging under a Mail of melimto and lyddite from the other German gunners. Nothing could stop the men and horses. The Lancers cut down the gunners, put the guns out of action, and then, like the heroes of Balaclava, rode back, losing men even more quickly. It is estimated that the regiment was reduced to four hundred, hut eome are still i rejoining. Captain F. 0. Grenfell, of the Ninth Lancers, was wounded in both legs and lost two fingers. Directly afterwards he saw tfhat two guns were nearly deprived of their servers owing to the effects of shrapnel. The horses we're under cover near by, and Captain Grenfell said: "We will get the guns back." , Keeardless of wounds, he headed a number of men, harnessed the guns up, and saved them. Ho was then taken to the hospital. •" During the retreat the Germane captured several men, and stripped and bound them to gun wheels, in order that they should not escape. A brave peasant cut the ropee and the men regained the British lines. • I (Bee. September 4, 5.30 p.m.) , ' ■ London, September 3. It is authoritatively stated that the Duke of Westminster, in a recent hot engagement, carried to safety at great personal risk and under heavy fire, Captain Grenfell, who was wounded. ■ .

GREAT FEAT OF ARMS AT SOLESMES,

' Paris, September. 3. There was a great feat of arms at Solesmes, about ten miles east of Oambrai, on August 26. Six regiments wore holding an exposed position, and expecting support all day, but it was not forthcoming. The Germans crept round, and the British were in dancer of being encircled. ' The British, with bayonets -fixed, charged through a gap of eight hundred yards, gradually closing oiC the ring, yelling and shouting, despite the artillery which was trained on the spot. _ They lost heavily, particularly in the case of a North Country regiment. This regiment lost its transport column one day, and marched thirty-sis and twenty miles on successive days upon two biscuits per man. It then revenged itself by capturing a German supply oolumn. GERMANS REPEATEDLY REPULSED.. (Bee. September 4, .8.20 p.m.) . : Paris, September 3, evening. 'A British officer, who was wounded at Compiegne,- states that the Germans were repeatedly repulsod on Wednesday with heavy losses, tho Allies taking the offensive on a front of several miles.