Border Incident (1912 Army Manoeuvres)

Cambridge Examiner. 16th September, Morning.
"It is three days since the invading Cerulean Army violated our frontier east of Huntingdon; three days without let or molestation. Apart from a brigade of Territorials from Liverpuddle, now forming the garrison protecting this city, hardly a soldier of ours has been seen in the whole of East Anglia. This morning, the leading elements of the enemy have been seen advancing by Newmarket, on a ten mile front, screened by their cavalry. Among the locals, a great exasperation prevails.

"However, good news has arrived from the direction of Luton, in the guise of an army of resistance led by the renowned Lieutenant-General James Grierson. The 2nd Cavalry Division has been seen marching through Saffron Walden, with 3rd Infantry Division immediately following. Passing through Whittlesford, 4th Infantry Division will probably arrive at Great Abingdon by mid-afternoon. It is clear by his direction of march, that General Grierson aims to engage the enemy as soon and as vigorously as may be.

"Meanwhile, reports from evacuees and refugees from the enemy's path indicate that behind the enemy cavalry screen, the infantry are advancing in two columns separated by perhaps half a day's march. First Division pushes south down roads west of Newmarket; 2nd Division to the east towards Coulinge and Hundon. Through the town itself the enemy commander, Lt-Genl Haig, has been seen on the march with his entourage, along with a column of heavy artillery. Haig comes with a formidable reputation - not to say notoriety - for bullheaded aggression. Grierson will have no light task before him..."

Editorial Comment: 
"No light task indeed. We are in no position to place judgement - before the event at least - upon General Grierson's capacity for command. Yet our observations seem to offer a contrast between the movements of the opposing forces. The Cerulean invaders have chosen a broad front of mutually supporting columns, and is making rapid progress. We anticipate the central brigade of cavalry - the 2nd - will have reached Haverhill by days' end.  With two of his Divisions, and his heavy artillery, piled up upon the one road through Saffron Walden and Ashdon, one wonders just how quickly Grierson will be able - or even allowed - to deploy once contact is made with the enemy.

"Best opinion seems to indicate that a small enemy force catching the head of the Ashdon column on the march might well overthrow the greater part of Grierson's corps before it is fairly deployed. A great deal of trepidation awaits the outcome."  

Cambridge Examiner: 16 September, Afternoon
"The arrival of Lieutenant-General Grierson's army corps moving upon the flank of the enemy's southward march has induced the latter to change the axis of his southward sweep. First Division has moved upon Fulbourn, though whether the enemy intends to intercept Major-General d'Oyly Snow's command at Great Abingdon, or to continue on to wrest Cambridge from its Territorial garrison, remains unclear. What is plain is that the enemy will have reached Fulbourn by day's end.

"Having passed through West Wrattling, the enemy's 1st Cavalry Brigade swung onto the Great Abingdon road. Approaching the town, they encountered 4th Division's lead brigade - the 10th - and immediately retired with barely a skirmish.

"It seems that the direction of the threat that Grierson's army presents has left the Cerulean 2nd Division rather too distant to intervene this day. It is perhaps possible that, inadvertently or otherwise, our Commander has stolen something of a march upon the enemy. As a result, two of Major-General Lawson's Cerulean brigades have had to switch over to Dallington, instead of continuing on through Hundon and Stoke-by-Clare. One can hope that the resulting enemy confusion may be exploited to the full by our side."

Editorial Comment:
"The suspense and tension mounts moment by moment. The leading enemy cavalry elements have by late afternoon reached Haverhill (2nd Cavalry Brigade) and Stoke-by-Clare (3rd Cavalry), as well as putting in a brief appearance near Great Abingdon (1st Cavalry). The enemy cavalry commander, one Major-General Edmund Allenby, is with the 2nd at Haverhill, along with the Brigade's horse guns. What lies behind is anyone's guess, although reports indicate an enemy presence at Fulbourn, some eight miles east of Cambridge, in Divisional strength.  All seems set for interesting events tomorrow..."

East Anglia Evening Standard: 16 September.
"News has just arrived of the first real clash between our forces under Lt-Genl Grierson and the invaders. Having passed through Ashdon without sight of the enemy, the Brigades of Col Briggs encountered horsemen just emerging from Haverhill. The enemy having deployed his horse guns, 4th Light Cavalry took some loss from gunfire, before they, together with the 5th Dragoon Brigade, essayed a charge. In a brisk mounted action, they threw back the opposing horse, and overran the deployed guns. Driving the fugitives pell-mell back into Haverhill, our horse was checked by the difficulty of mounted action in the built-up area and drew back towards Ashdon. Overnight, the enemy, having taken heavy losses to their horse guns in particular, evacuated the town."

Cavalry clash near Haverhill. Heavy losses of 
Cerulean horse artillery.

"The situation at nightfall lies as follows. Our 4th Division has deployed about Great Abingdon, where they await an attack upon the morrow. Our 2nd Cavalry Brigade stands east of Ashdon, whilst General Grierson has established his headquarters, and his heavy ordnance in battery, at Linton. Major-General Henry Rawlinson is still on the road behind Ashdon with his 3rd Division.

"Of the enemy, it is known that 1st Division is bivouacking around Fulbourn, and his cavalry brigades about Stoke, behind Haverhill, and somewhere close by West Wrattling. Indications are that General Haig has set up his HQ in or near that village. The whereabouts of 2nd Division are more obscure, reports suggesting a couple of brigades at Brinkley and the balance of the Division having marched a little beyond Hundon.

"So far, we have drawn first blood with our cavalry's little victory at Haverhill. Let us hope for even greater successes for the 17th." 

To be continued...