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This week Sabine’s battlefield guide Saturday :

October 22th 1914 RIR 241 part two the battle for Broodseinde crossroad

the general command reported during the night: enemy in full retreat on Ieper. Today the corps is fencing itself into the Ieper area. Further instructions will follow within the hour.

The orders did not come, however, the morning of October 22 passed quietly. The scattered troops took up positions, and holes in the trenches were made . Of course, these were only single trenches, with no connection to other trenches, no dugouts and all the improvements of later days. Colonel Graul reported the exact position to the brigade:

Close to Calvaire wald, regiment is dugging in with 2.5 battalions in yesterday’s position, adjoining 243 on the left, east of molenaarelsthoek between the road and calvaire Wald.

The right flank, however, was still open and caused Erz von Criegern the most serious concern. He reported to the division that the brigade could not proceed because it was still receiving heavy fire from the right. Von Criegern had made his own enquiries about the situation of the 52 RD, but to no avail. There was no word of a battle in this direction. The division then issued the following order:

53 RD 500 metres north of zuidoosthoek. 22.10.1914, 6.30 p.m.

* The enemy has been pushed back further in fierce fighting.

*The division is holding the line reached under all circumstances. Tomorrow morning the attack is to be continued with all its energy and with strong artillery support.

During the night, avoid all unnecessary firing which would endanger your own troops more than the enemy. After the battle, the following must be carried out with the bayonet

From Wabdorf

This renewed attack order was probably based on the confident report of the 50 RD, which also reached the brigade, and which is to follow in copy.

50 RD at strooibommhoek

According to recent news from General Command, the enemy opposite is in a very tight position. Our army cavalry (3 cav div) is already west of the Ieper Canal in the English rear.

13 A R has decisively defeated the English yesterday and today. One of our corps on the right has already turned south. In view of all this, an early capture of the English is to be expected if we maintain our position.

For the von Criegern brigade, the order to attack was given on the 23rd of October, 6 o’clock in the morning:

Order for the division v Criegern

* The enemy was driven back yesterday in a fierce battle.

* The division will continue the attack today with all its might and the strongest artillery support.

*Division V Criegern is advancing in a purely westerly direction in the combat zone between 52 RD on the right and Division Bierling on the left. The advance is made wing by wing, right wing 241, left 243 RJ 25 behind the right wing of 241. Movement begins at 7.30 am.

* I ride with 241

Signed V Wabdorf

I and II/241( this means I and II battalion of RIR241, it is written also this way in the original German regimental history !) stormed confidently and carried out the attack via the Beselare – Passendale road. Since the right wing was like a lead weight holding back the dashing assault, on the brigade’s orders the fighters were inserted on the right at the Broodseinde crossroads, followed by II/241 under Major PauK to the south and attached to Regiment 241. At 9 o’clock the brave fighters entered Broodseinde and II/243 reached the road. The reinforcement of the right wing was not sufficient, however, and the troops received heavy fire from infantry and artillery on the right, and at 2 o’clock in the afternoon the attack, which had been launched with all possible energy, had to be stopped by order. Major Biehl and his brave fighters, however, held the cross road firmly in their hands. All the signs indicated that the enemy was about to attack. His aim was to bypass the cross and to roll up the front from the right, since the right wing was still completely in the air. Major Biehl sent patrols to Zonnebeke, and one succeeded in taking a French prisoner, who gave the following information:

A French regiment in Zonnebeke intends to attack during the night. it is the French. 114 regiment, in connection with the English, Zonnebeke occupied by enemies.

At 1.30 a.m. the attack actually started and was beaten off. RIR 243 on the left wing of the brigade had more luck in the war. After a heavy fight, it penetrated to the first houses of Reutel and pushed the English back to polygone wood. Parts of the Wiltshire regiment, the Royal Scottish fusiliers and the Scottish Guards second regiment were captured. I / 241 also attacked with success, but had to be stopped after the brigade had reported, that threatening news had been received from Broodseinde. Everything that was somehow still available from RIR 241 was brought forward to support the jägers around noon on October 24th. Broodseinde lay under the heaviest artillery fire for four hours. At 12.50 noon, Major Biehl reported: I / 238, which was positioned 1 kilometer north of us, has just been withdrawn. Post-patrols are impossible. Situation for the battalion since, hours very serious

Major Biehl

Source : RIR 241 die geschichte des Königlich Sächsishen reserve infanterie regiments nr. 241

Jürgen Schmieschek provided the images of the crossroad and Calvaire wald, he also helped me with General Paul Von Griegern and explained why I could not find him in RIR 241 :