The 2 Chevauleger Regimental History - Part Four - The Battle of Flanders

Below is the fourth installment of the 3 Eskadron, 2 Chevauleger Regiment's wartime service. This installment covers most of the 1917 and during this time, the 3 Eskadron spent most of its time in Flanders. Enjoy!

  The Battle of Flanders

(May 27, 1917 - July 3, 1917)

Nevertheless, while we had suffered one defeat after another in both East than in the West, at Arras on the Aisne and in the Champagne the Allied breakthrough attempts had failed - their seßten(?) its attacks on the Western Front persistent sort (?). Above all, the British attacked on the Flanders Front because of the bases used against England in the U-Boart war. The British actually managed to build mining works that undermined our front in the Ypres Salient without our noticing and on July 7, 1917 blew it up in the air.

Our brave 3^rd Bavarian Infantry Division, fighting at Whyschaete and Messines, was severely mauled and was no longer able to hold the position so new divisions had to be brought in as reserves. On September 9, 1917, the 6^th Bavarian Infantry Division was  moved from the west, from the position at Douai, and was initially was reorganizing and preparing in the Army Group Reserve in the rear area of the Group Vimy. During this time from September 9, 1917 to September 19, 1917, the 3^rd Squadron was reorganizing in Bruille les Marchiennes and finally was completely gathered and formed.

On September 18, Crown Prince Rupprecht visited all the troops of the 6^th Bavarian Infantry Division at Lallaing and had some kind words of encouragement for each officer and man.

On September 20, the Division was transported to Thourout and positioned behind the left wing of the Group Diksmuide. It has been the preferred division to position at Staden at the front because of it excellent performance.

On August 20 in Douai, the 3^rd  Squadron was loaded and transported by way of Seclin - Lille - Kortrnk - Thielt  to Lichterfelden where they arrived entrained on September 21 at 11:15. On the same day they arrived in Belegem and moved into quarters

While the Division was initially engaged, the division had to endure heavy fighting at Langemarck, the Squadron was, for the most part, re-distributed to the various regiments and detachments, while the remainder of the squadron stayed with the baggage from September 22, 1917 to September 30, 1917. From October 1, 1917 through October 9, 1917, it was stationed at Hoogledede - North.

On the night of September 27/September 28, there was an aerial attack and a bomb struck the Division Headquarters in Gits. The division commander General - Major Freiherr Von Godin fell a victim to the bomb Not quite a year before, he had commanded the 6^thBavarian Infantry Division as its newly appointed commander. Captain d'Hengeliere escaped death by accident and Major b. R. Krik of our regiment died a few days later due to his serious injuries. With it, our regiment lost a dear friend, in war as well as peace he was not only a good mate, but also a loyal friend to all members of the regiment. He was one of those rare people who had no enemies.

At 6:00 am on October 4, 1917 after a short but immensely powerful artillery preparation of the front line, the British attacked accompanied by tanks. Storm, rain and fog hampered the work of our airmen and artillery so that elements of the division were thrown back to Poelkappelle. But again, the enemy was stopped and prevented from breakthrough although the infantry had suffered such heavy losses that they had to be replaced on October 9 by the 227^th Infantry Division.

During these battles, the squadron was constantly forced to lie under observed heavy artillery fire. On October 5, the squadron lost 1 horse due to heavy artillery projectiles crashing into a Fortified position. The Chevaulegers present in the barn were thrown aside by the air pressure, but suffered no injuries.

The activities of the squadron in the Flanders Battle were fully recognized. In particular, our dispatch riders worked perfectly and never failed, but they performed their service under the most severe and difficult conditions up to the infantry's front line. The Iron Cross First Class was awarded to Oberleutnant b. Res Reis and 12 Iron Cross Second Class were awarded for deserving NCOs and enlisted men.

From October 10, 1917 from the Division was again specifically assigned to the 6^th Army Group Souchez. On October 10, the 3^rd Squadron moved to Bekegem by way of Thourout -Sparappelholtz (?) and was loaded onto a train on October 11 in Wynendale. The journey went through Kortrick - Lille - Orchies and then Flines, where the squadron unloaded and proceeded by an overland march to their new accommodations in Annoeullin where they were stationed from December 4, 1917 through January 18, 1918.

During this time a detachment of the squadron was familiarized with trench warfare and beseßte (?) especially and the Divisional artillery observers went pleasure riding and familiarization with the lance.
 

On December 9 and December 15, the armistices with Russia and Romania, respectively, went into effect. There was now no longer any doubt, bass OHL would take the initiative on the Western Front with a vengeance and deliver a blow against the Allies. Right now, it was doubly painful for our squadron since its strength had been reduced to 100 horses.

As of January 19, 1918, Squadron strength was reduced by Officer-Deputies Weber and Teeselder, V.W., Sergeant-Pilots Knopfe and and Böhm, 4 corporals (Gefreiter), 42 enlisted men and 28 horses to the Horse Hospital, III Bavarian Armee Korps. It was only with feelings of sadness and melancholy that these comrades parted from their old squadron with which they were connected to death and in life.

On the same day, the division was withdrawn to train for the upcoming big attack. The 3^rd Squadron rode over to Carvin - Camphine in their new accommodations at Tourmignies, where it remained throughout the training period until February 7, 1918.

When the 6^th Bavarian Division replaced the 187^th Infantry Division, it was deployed again under Group Auber and the 3^rd Squadron relieved the 5^th Squadron of the 16^th Dragoon Regiment in Falubourg de Porte and remained here from February 8, 1918 through February 23, 1918.

Already on February 22, 1918, the Squadron was again relieved by 1^st Squadron of the 1^st Jaeger-zu-Pferde Regiment. The division was placed in OHL Reserve and rated as a I-A Division within the meaning of the OHL Order No. 6050, supplemented. The 3^rd Squadron moved over to Ronchin - Merchin after Gainghin and remained there until the beginning of the great battle (i.e. Kasierschlacht).