Nery 1914


Contemporary illustration from H W Wilson's Great War history. This presents a different interpretation of events on 1 Sep 1914. It shows the horses being led away from the bombardment although the generally accepted version says that the horses stampeded. In the caption to the picture we are told that 'many men and a large number of horses were killed. At once the order "Action Front!" rang out and the horses were taken to cover.' On the right of the picture L Battery RHA is galloping towards the action. Further to their right is a cavalry charge which is difficult to explain. This may be the 5th Dragoon Guards, but they were engaged on the other side of the battle. It may represent the intervention of the 4th Cavalry Brigade but that did not happen until some hours later. The title of the picture calls it 'An Action near Compiegne' which is a village 10 miles north of Nery.


Regimental details


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by Stephen Luscombe