14th September 1914, near Jurbise.
The guns had opened fire at 6:24, the fire had been as heavy as the gunners could sustain, the ASC had worked heroically to bring up as many shells as possible, ready for the attack. Condsidering the hurried planning the British army had made fairly effective use of the patrolling which had been being carried out each night as well as the efforts of both the RFC and the RNAS to undertake aerial reconnaissance. They knew where the German lines were and the few strong points had been identified, almost entirely well built farmhouses loopholed with firing positions.
These strong points would be targeted by the 4.5” howitzers firing high explosive shells whilst the 15 and 18 pounders of the regular and territorial batteries would concentrate on the German trenches and breastworks. The RGA batteries of both Regular 60 pounders and the territorials 4.7” guns would undertake counterbattery fire, engaging pre identified German batteries. The artillery ceased firing on the front line positions at 6:54 am, the sun had not yet risen, it was that time called civil twilight when the sun was still below the horizon but it was light enough to move around outside without illumination.
The infantry attack had started with the leading brigade of 3rd division, 4 battalions from left to right the 2nd bn Royal Scots, the 1st bn Gordon Highlanders, the 4th bn Middlesex Regiment and the 2nd bn the Royal Irish Regiment, each battalion consisted of almost 1000 men. The advanced using the fire and movement tactics in which they had been trained.
The German troops who holding the defensive positions opened fire immediately, their fire was heavy and effective but they amounted to less than 1000 men holding this section of the front. The bulk of their comrades were attacking Lille and Namur and the front in this area had been allowed to thin. The British brigade rushed forward, rapidly occupying the german front line positions and capturing the village of Bruyeres, the heaviest casualties had been taken by the 4th Battalion Middlesex regiment, they had lost over 250 men killed and wounded breaking into the village, the Gordon Highlanders lost another 150 men with the Royal Scots and the Royal Irish losing only 75 men each. The brigade paused briefly to reorient itself before the attack continued with the second wave brigade passing through Bruyeres to attack Basse Gage. As the second brigade moved up to its jumping off points the artillery repositioned itself to continue to support the advance.
