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