The Rifles Great War Legacy - 100 years ago today: 19 0ct to 22 Nov 1914 The Fist Battle of Ypres. 1st Glosters/2nd Oxf & Bucks LI/1st Ryl Berks/2nd KOYLI, 1 & 2 KRRC & 1st Wilts As the main body of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) was fighting its way forward in the Flemish hills, the 7th Division and 3rd Cavalry Division were falling back towards Ghent. They concentrated and formed a continuous body of troops around the frontier fortress town of Ypres. Misinformed by intelligence which underestimated the overwhelming German strength advancing towards them, general Sir John French ordered the BEF to advance and capture Menin and its key road and ridge, with a view to then move on Courtrai. The initial battle of encounter soon turned to a dogged defence by the BEFagainst huge odds, as the enemy attacked in force with the intention of breaking through to outflank the Allies on the River Yser. Despite heavy losses the defenders of Yppres held although there were many times when it was thought the town must be lost. With the Belgian Army along the Yser on the British left also desperately holding on, the German Army failed in its last colossal attempt of 1914 to break the allies line and turn their flank. The line of the western front and the famous Ypres salient were established. On conclusion of the fighting at 1st Ypres The Old Contemptibles had halted the German advance to the sea and in doing so won for themselves and the town of Ypres immortal fame in British French and Belgian minds. Though they had done so at heavy cost 2,298 officers and 51,807 men were killed, wounded or went missing in the battle. Ypres is a representative battle honour of The Rifles and is borne on the Regimental Belt Plate with great pride by todays Riflemen.
Posted on: Sun, 19 Oct 2014 08:00:00 +0000
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