A WAR STORY
THE 12TH LANCERS AT CERISY. During the retreat from Mons the 12th (Prince of Wales’s Own) Lancers arrived at Moy, on the River Oise, south-east of St. Quentin; about noon on August 23, 1914. The regiment was in reserve, but soon 1 after 4 p.m. shots were heard from the direction of Ccrisv, which was away to the nortli*west on the high grpund beyond the St. Quentin road. Saddling up at once, one squadron and the machine guns moved forward out of Moy and saw* half a mile awaj a strong body of German cavalry in close order riding towards them down the hill. Our men dismounted and opened fire with considerable effect. Taken hy surprise the Germans dis'mounted also; their horses stampeded while they were being led back. Now the other two squadrons of the Lancers came into action on foot farther'to the right, while part' of the J ■ Battery R.H.A. also opened on the enemy. He retreated to the top of the hill, and the men of the leading squadron of Lancers remounted to follow him up. Their colonel took advantage o'f the lie of the ground to bring our men up the hill at a walk.
Then on reaching the crest he gave the order to gallop—charge, and the squadron trumpet rang out as the Lancers rushed upon the enemy, who was only fifty yards away. Most of the German troopers fought gallantly—the colonel’s horse was shot dead, he liim-self-was wounded, and the squadron commander was killed—but the adjutant killed five Germans with his sword and the lances of the squadron did their deadly work.
Alter riding through the enemy our men rallied and charged back again. Nearly eighty Germans then lay dead or wounded on the field, and four unwounded prisoners were collected.
Farther to the left the Royal Scots Greys and 20th Hussars had also been engaged, our three regiments having repulsed hy fire and shock tactics the Guard Dragoon Brigade, backed by German infantry in considerable force. Besides the officers mentioned the 12th Lancers lost nine men killed and wounded.
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Hokitika Guardian, 26 September 1929, Page 7
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349A WAR STORY Hokitika Guardian, 26 September 1929, Page 7
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