Halen 27 – the Sixth charge
The first to cross the river were the Kürassiere. They rode beside the water, crossing the road to Bloemendaal and the railroad track towards Tienen, and finally turning northwest across Velp Creek towards the railroad station. Though different sources conflict in their reports of the orders given, it seems as though 4th Squadron followed 3rd Squadron. These two squadrons immediately engaged 3rd Comp/Cy Bn that were in front of 3rd Squadron/Kü Nr 2. A few Cyclists put up their hands. The assault faded in the fire from the IJzerwinning defense and from other Cyclists. Only a few of the 50 troopers managed to make it back. The 4th Squadron came south alongside the road from its position near the southwest corner of Halen. They had been ordered to attack the riflemen straight in front of them. The 4th Squadron advanced in formation, leaving wide gaps. After 400 meters, they entered a very deep sunken road (part of the Betserbaan) that caused many troopers to tumble. Those that did not crash into the sunken road managed to advance by swinging to the left. Practically no one made it to the IJzerwinning Farm.
We are most fortunate to have a first-hand account of the 3rd Squadron charge. Kürassier Brühe wrote down his recollections many years after the battle. Based on his participation, we are able to see how the charge went from a high to the sudden low caused by the sunken road:
We stood there in double-file formation. We only halted for a short while. Our time had come. “Karabiner umhängen!” [“Sling carbine!”] was the first command. With a swift hand, the troopers drew the weapon from the protecting leather that was attached to the saddle. I immediately understood the meaning of the order. That without the weapon, the trooper would not be ready if during battle his horse would fall. This was an order that was no longer obeyed by all. The Color Escort Platoon was sent back to the rear. The Rittmeister drew his pallasch [sword] and instantly commanded, “Lanzen gefällt!” [“Couch Lances!”]. Then ringing aloud over the battlefield was heard, “Zur Attacke auf Artillerie ein Glied, formiert, Galopp, march!” [“For the attack on artillery, one file, formation, gallop, march!”] The squadrsn attacked immediately. The lance was held level in the right fist; reins held loosely in the left hand. The wild chase began roaring over the fields. Many hundred hooves trampled the land, as the first wave we were riding in was followed by more droves. With brandished pallasch pointing forward, followed by his squadron, the Rittmeister gallops as we did so often at home. How often had we practiced this? The terrain in front had not even been reconnoitered. That is the reason why so many died and were wounded on this fateful day. We horsemen did not know the situation. No mouth had explained it to us. All we knew at Haelen [sic] was we had to ride very fast because the white clouds [Belgian artillery fire] appeared more and more. A hailstorm of steel came raining down on us. These hailstones mostly hit the ground. Dirt was spraying up and the horses saw this. They dodged these, jumping to the left and to the right, as the horses never saw these at home. Suddenly, dark figures lie on the ground in front of us, in between the sheaves. We took them for riflemen whose bullets had killed many of us today. Hands stretched out, awaiting pardon, many had to end their lives here. Others became prisoner. I ran over a loose line of enemy riflemen in the gallop and rushed on. Nobody had told us, but suddenly a sunken road appeared, deeply cutting the land.
Brühe’s horse was shot and died in the sunken road. Leaving mounted status leaves an interesting impression of the equipment of the soldier who had been shot out of the saddle.
I still had the lance in my hand, so I quickly detached the weapon from the saddle. I ran, the lance in my hand, with the carbine slung. Carbine and lance I still own, as well as what I have on my body. Gone are greatcoat, saddlebags, underwear, and mütze [cap, hat], that for sure would be missed later. Our cavalry army had been beaten, and those that did not fall, ran.