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From: Action at Elouges/Audriengies 24 Aug 1914


ianjonesncl

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David

Probably no gems - few posts from my Blog:

http://northumbriangunner.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/mons-action-at-elouges.html

http://northumbriangunner.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/mons-action-elouges-cheshires-last-stand.html

This may be more useful - a transcript of a report from the War Diary of 119th Battery RFA on the Battery at Elouges:

http://northumbriangunner.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/elouges-first-gunner-vc-of-great-war.html

Report of the action of the 119th Battery at ELOUGES August 24th 1914

On the afternoon of Aug 24th 1914 the 119th Battery formed part of the flank guard under Lt Colonel Balland, Norfolk Regt. Near ELOUGES. One section uner Lieut. C.O.D. PRESTON was detached about 500 yards on the right of the other 2 sections. After the remainder of the 5th Division had the retired the Germans worked round the right and took this section in rear. It was ordered to retire. Lieut. Preston was wounded. The section moved by a road in front of the other two sections towards the left. While moving along the road it was caught up by a Cavalry Brigade retiring at a fast pace and carried along by them. They were under very heavy shell fire. One of the lead horses was shot and Sgt. McCartney dismounted and cut it out. After going for about half a mile Lieut Preston halted his section and brought it into action against German Cavalry. Afterwards he took on German Infantry and Machine Guns until they got within 800 yards of the guns. He then sent one gun out of action & was again wounded. Sgt McCartney took his gun under cover and then rode back to assist Lt Preston to get the other away. The wagon of this sub-section was found not to be following the gun and Lieut Preston went back to try to get it away, but was unable to do so as most of the horses were killed. Altogether he was wounded 4 times twice severely. He was put in an Ambulance & Sgt McCartney brought the section away. The other 4 guns remained in action longer. When they were ordered to retire it was necessary to run back by hand under cover owing to the heavy fire. Captain Grenfell, 9th Lancers asked if he could assist in anyway. He was asked if he could help running the guns back by hand as owing to heavy casualties few men were available. One gun was run back by the men of the Battery & then the men of 9th Lancers assisted in running back the remainder of most of the guns & most of the wagons. After that the Battery retired. Captain Grenfell was wounded before and again while assisting the 119th , but he still continued to help. The conduct of the 9th Lancers was splendid as at least 3 German Batteries were concentrated on the 119th (one on its right flank) there was considerable infantry fire brought on the men at the same time, by German infantry on the mining dumps 4 to 600 yds away. While retiring one wagon & a limber were hit by shells and had to be abandoned. 2 officers and 48 men in the Battery were killed & wounded and 4 missing. 43 horses were killed and several wounded.

Quite interesting in that no where does it ouline any actions by Major Alexander.

Source: Action at Elouges/Audriengies 24 Aug 1914

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