The 1st Battalion at Ypres

Sunday 15th November 1914: mercifully the adjutant of the 1st Battalion contacted us at first light. Whilst Lieutenant Pope and his men appear to have been captured the attack of the Prussian Guard seems to have been defeated. This is no small achievement for an ordinary county regiment like ours and the men must feel, whilst very tired, also very proud. Luckily, for all the heaviness of the fighting, only seven men seem to have been killed although, of course, many more are wounded.

Later today the adjutant of the Battalion has again contacted us. He reports that the day has been "fairly quiet". There have been "the usual bursts of rifle fire at intervals and constant intermittent shelling but only mild attacks at various parts of the line". Five more men have been killed today and seven wounded.

Source: X550/2/5

Another German Attack at Ypres

Saturday 14th November 1914: the adjutant of the 1st Battalion tells us that the Germans have made another attack in their locality, a severe one, rather than the more piecemeal attacks of the last fortnight or so. They broke through the front line on the left of the Battalion which was ordered to withdraw 300 yards to take up a new position to be in alignment with the unit driven back. It is believed that the crack unit of the German army - the Prussian Guard - were involved in this attack.

About 4 pm the Germans managed to enfilade the 1st Battalion, Cheshire Regiment's position, firing all down their line from the flank. This caused them to retire still further back. This left the Bedfords' advanced trench "in the air", in other words, its flank did not rest on another unit because that unit had retired. In this advanced trench hard fighting is taking place even as the adjutant talks to us. He believes Lieutenant Pope and ten men have been taken prisoner, but with the onset of darkness it is very hard to be certain.

Source: X550/2/5