Halen 24 – Fourth Charge
Immediately after 4th Squadron, 1st Squadron attacked. They went in the same direction, but stayed south of the creek and came up from the IJzerbeek Bridge in the Fonteinstraat. There they rode a bit to the left. Then, at the small house in the bend, they started galloping straight toward the farm at either side of the IJzerbeek. That is how “official Belgian history” mapped the 1st and 3rd Squadron charges. The Dragoner Regt Nr 18 history said, “South of the IJzerbeek.” Probably the turmoil had been tremendous then, so an exact account of the events must have been difficult.
These two charges (1st and 3rd Squadron) badly ravaged the Cyclists. The mass of horses that crossed the Betserbaan at the creek spread out between the Cyclists. The Feldgrau troopers came charging, lances couched, as they had practiced so many times. The Cyclists fired, but only one or two rounds by the time the horses arrived. Some Cyclists were kicked by horses’ hooves. Others were fired upon with revolvers and still others had to avoid the thrusts of the lances. Horses tumbled and still fiercely kicked their strong legs in fear. Some Cyclists had been ordered by their officers to lie down in order to allow the horses to pass over them. At some places, German troopers were circling around a few Cyclists while the horsemen slashed at them with their sabers or long lances. When the clash ended, the surviving Cyclists turned around in the direction of the IJzerwinning Farm, looking the Germans in the back. Sometimes, at some places, Belgians and unhorsed Germans stood together dazed, watching these devastating scenes of death, crying wounded, and neighing horses.
Then, the Lancers saw the hordes come straight up to them. Only a few Lancers had a chance to fire at the cavalry during the first two charges against the Mettenberg positions. After Dragoner Regt Nr 18 had passed the line of Cyclists, they dashed on towards the IJzerwinning Farm. From there, they were met by “raging fire from the houses, barns, and stables of the farm and from Velpen,” according to the Dragoner Regt Nr 18 history.
Suddenly, 1st Squadron/Dr Nr 18 came galloping towards the Lancers, platoon after platoon. As the squadron reached the fence 300 meters from the farm, the Lancers stood up and opened fire. The effect was decisive. The 1st Squadron was stopped and turned back.