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CHAPTER IX

BATTLE OF MONS

On Friday, August 21, 1914, the British force began to take position on the French left, forming the line Binche-Mons-Conde.  When finally concentrated it comprised the First and Second Army Corps, and General Allenby’s cavalry division.  The regiments forming the cavalry division were the Second Dragoon Guards, Ninth Lancers, Fourth Hussars, Sixth Dragoon Guards, with a contingent of the Household Guards.  The First Army Corps was given the right of the line from Binche to Mons. It was commanded by Sir Douglas Haig.  He was a cavalry officer like the commander in chief, and a comparatively young man for such a responsibility, but had seen active service with credit.  His corps was comprised of six guards’ battalions.  The First Black Watch, Second Munster Fusiliers, The Royal Sussex, North Lancashire, Northamptons, Second King’s Royal Rifles, Third West Surreys, The South Wales Borderers, Gloucesters, First Welsh Regiment, Highland Light Infantry, Connaught Rangers, Liverpools, South Staffords, Berkshires, and First King’s Royal Rifles.  The First Irish Guards went into action for the first time in its history.

The second corps extended from Mons to Conde, commanded by Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien.  General Dorrien was a west of England man, and turning fifty-six.  He had seen active service in the Zulu War, Egypt, Sudan, the Chitral Relief Force, and Tirah campaign.  He had occupied the positions of adjutant general in India, commander of the Quetta division, and commander in chief at Aldershot.  He was recognized as a serious military student, and possessing the approval and confidence of Lord Kitchener.  The Second Corps was composed of Royal Irish Rifles, Wiltshires, South Lancashires, Worcesters, Gordons, Royal Scots, Royal Irish, Middlesex, Royal Fusiliers, Northumberland Fusiliers, Royal Scots Fusiliers, Lincolns, Yorkshire Light Infantry, West Kent, West Riding, Scottish Borderers, Manchesters, Cornwalls, East Surreys, and Suffolks.  To the rear Count Gleichen commanded the Norfolks, Bedfords, Cheshires, and Dorsets.  On the left of the Second Corps was stationed General Allenby’s cavalry.

In passing we may note that the commander in chief of the British forces was a cavalry officer, the commander of the First Army Corps a cavalry officer, and that the cavalry was in comparatively ample force.  Von Mackensen of the German force came from that branch of the service.  Cavalry officers are excellent soldiers, but their training as such is not promising for the command of modern armies, mainly of infantry and artillery, with other complements.  In war much has changed since Waterloo, with the value of cavalry retreating into the background as aeroplanes sweep to the front for scouting and other purposes.