Ypres 1914
Messines
31st October 1914
By the end of the previous day’s fighting the small village of Messines (Mesen) jutted out, a minor salient, held by twelve squadrons of the 1st Cavalry Brigade with two companies of the 57th Rifles (Indian Corps) attached.
Rough trenches and barricades had been prepared and were held by the 9th Lancers on the eastern and the 57th Rifles on the south-eastern slopes. Towards Wijtschate were the Queen’s Bays whilst the 11th Hussars and 5th Dragoon Guards were in the village or filling in the line where they were needed most.
Although still not fully aware of the situation British GHQ had by now grasped that they were no longer dealing with cavalry but infantry and that somehow the Germans had brought further formations up towards the front.
On the coast King Albert had ordered the sluice gates at Nieuwpoort to be opened, inundating the polders. Although his action had prevented a German breakthrough at the coast, the other side of the coin was that the Germans could not in turn be counter-attacked by the Allies. They were now able to release a number of units for other duties.
In the small hours of the morning of the 31st October the 2nd Bn Inniskilling Fusiliers began to take over the positions of the 57th Rifles. As they were doing so the Germans launched their first assault on the village at about 0430 hours.
A few sections of the 57th Rifles’ trenches were taken but elsewhere the attacks were beaten off with the aid of enfilading artillery fire coming from across the valley on Hill 63 (at La Hutte).
As daylight appeared the German heavy artillery was brought up and began to demolish the village, building by building. Their 122 Fusilier Regiment and 125 Infantry Regiment continued to press the barricades and trenches; gaps began to be forced in the line.
By 0900 hours it was evident that the 9th Lancers could no longer be kept in their current position and they were recalled into the village. As they withdrew the Germans brought up demolition engineers and the British were pushed back to the main street. Help, however, was at hand.
At 1300 hours two battalions from II Corps, which had been sent to assist the Cavalry made their most timely arrival. The 2nd Bn KOYLI, attacking to the northern side of the village and the 2nd Bn KOSB, together with the Inniskillings to the south.
The exterior trenches that had been lost earlier in the day were regained but within the village the Germans had too many machine guns, too many men and the counter-attacking troops were too tired after their forced march to be able to engage in street warfare.
The London Scottish
The first Territorial Force battalion to go into battle had joined I Corps on the 30th October and had immediately been dispatched to assist the Cavalry.
Lt Colonel George Malcolm had 750 men under his command and was originally ordered to move towards Hollebeke and assist the 2nd Cavalry Division. With the events now unfolding at Messines he was redirected south towards Wijtschate and told to counter attack south-eastwards from the area of the windmill on the main road to Messines.
The mill was situated at the point where, today, you will find the London Scottish cross.
Being unable to use the main road which was by now under heavy fire, the London Scottish moved into the cover of the ridge on its western side as far as l’Enfer Wood (Hell’s Wood). Here they were ordered to reinforce the line on the eastern side of the road.
Thinking that a full scale counter-attack was in progress, Lt Colonel Malcolm ordered his men into battle formation and advanced under fire. Reaching the British line they linked up with the 4th Cavalry Brigade and some managed to get so far forward that they came into contact with the German infantry.
Now coming under very heavy fire they were forced to take cover in whatever shelter was too hand in and around the burning mill. There they were forced to remain until the line was reorganised that night. Their first action had cost them 321 casualties.
In Messines the British held sector was now in flames and the German infantry constantly swept the streets with machine gun fire. The cost to the Germans though had been extremely high and for the moment they were forced to accept that they had secured part of Messines.