I
In September of 1915 the Commander-in-Chief and his staff were busy with
preparations for a battle, in conjunction with the French, which had
ambitious objects. These have never been stated because they were
not gained (and it was the habit of our High Command to conceal
its objectives and minimize their importance if their hopes were
unfulfilled), but beyond doubt the purpose of the battle was to gain
possession of Lens and its coal-fields, and by striking through Hulluch
and Haisnes to menace the German occupation of Lille. On the British
front the key of the enemy's position was Hill 70, to the north of Lens,
beyond the village of Loos, and the capture of that village and that
hill was the first essential of success.
The assault on these positions was to be made by two New Army divisions
of the 4th Corps: the 47th (London) Division, and the 15th (Scottish)
Division. They were to be supported by the 11th Corps, consisting of
the Guards and two new and untried divisions, the 21st and the 24th. The
Cavalry Corps (less the 3d Cavalry Division under General Fanshawe) was
in reserve far back at St.-Pol and Pernes; and the Indian Cavalry Corps
under General Remington was at Doullens; “to be in readiness,” wrote Sir
John French, “to co-operate with the French cavalry in exploiting any
success which might be attained by the French and British forces.”...
Oh, wonderful optimism! In that Black Country of France, scattered with
mining villages in which every house was a machine-gun fort, with slag
heaps and pit-heads which were formidable redoubts, with trenches and
barbed wire and brick-stacks, and quarries, organized for defense in
siege-warfare, cavalry might as well have ridden through hell with hope
of “exploiting” success... “Plans for effective co-operation were fully
arranged between the cavalry commanders of both armies,” wrote our
Commander-in-Chief in his despatch. I can imagine those gallant old
gentlemen devising their plans, with grave courtesy, over large maps,
and A. D. C.'s clicking heels in attendance, and an air of immense
wisdom and most cheerful assurance governing the proceedings in the
salon of a French chateau. .. The 3d Cavalry Division, less one brigade,
was assigned to the First Army as a reserve, and moved into the area of
the 4th Corps on the 2lst and 22d of September.