The study of regimental diaries provides a good insight into soldiers experiences, tactics and how the different branches were used. In this case that of the cavalry. First a introduction where they share some thoughts regarding the time during the early weeks of the war, before proceeding to the on-duty reports where they narrate their first combat experiences.
The following accounts are from the regimental diary of Ulanen-Regiment König Wilhelm I. (2. Württembergisches) Nr. 20.
Introduction:
“The days and weeks that followed – in the battle calendars they are listed under the names of the battles of Longwy-Longuyon, on the Meuse, at Varennes, the pursuit through the Argonne, the battle of Baubecourt-Sommaisne – were times with an abundance of external and internal experiences, often compressed into the shortest of time spans, such as fate may have brought only to a few of us afterwards or even before.
And all of us, certainly, as hard and hot as it was, all of us recognize these weeks in their impetuous, victorious forward march as the most glorious time of the great war.
A number of extensive reconnaissance missions were given to the regiment. We were brilliantly equipped for this through our thorough training in peacetime. But the Uhlan regiment was not only the division’s reconnaissance organ, not only a collection point for the deployment of a platoon to its headquarters and of dispatch riders and security patrols to brigades, regiments and battalions.
It also had a certain combat power whether it was during an advance, an attack or in pursuit.”
August 22, 1914
“The regiment’s departure was at 4:30 in the morning. It went, first by night, via Croix to Jaquet (1km east of Musson), 6:20 a.m.; here the 2nd Eskadron (previously with 52nd Infantry Brigade) reports back. Patrol Sander (4th) moves in; the leader heard the first cannon shot after he already had been shot twice to the thighs south of Baranzy. There was lots of back and forth fighting with franc-tireurs. Twice we experienced grazing MG fire. Preparations were made to attack an enemy position in a nearby wood.
At 5:30 in the evening from Bois Pertot via Croix-Baranzy, passing Cussigny-Gorch to the east; next to the road at dusk we pass French soldiers mowed down in counterattack or retreat. Some of them black colonial soldiers, others just blackened by the sun. 12 hours before there had been a French position here. Hostages were escorted through the dense forest to Cosnes. The local inhabitants displayed no hostility, as often happens when the pressure of incitement is absent; nevertheless, an undoubtedly official arms depot was destroyed.
First patrol ride across a battlefield, littered with dead and wounded. We witnessed the staff of the 26th Division being fired upon by French soldiers from a factory at Cussigny near Gorch. At dusk we passed the 119th and 125th regiments on our way to Tellancourt. At daybreak on the 23rd we continued west towards Longuyon. Patrols were deployed three times to attack enemy Dragoons and Chasseurs à cheval, who according to French tactics did not accept mounted combat. But rather lured the German cavalry towards French infantry in concealed positions.”
Photo: A cavalry trooper from Ulanen-Regiment „König Wilhelm I.“ (2. Württembergisches) Nr. 20.
Property of: ✠ drakegoodman ✠