How one Machine Gun held up the German Army (WW1 Documentary)

In August 1914 Europe descended into a war which would ultimately rage for four years at the cost of millions of lives. Amongst the very first moves of that war, and one which brought Britain into the fight, was the launching of the famous German Schlieffen Plan. In an attempt to destroy the French Army, a huge assault had been made through Belgium with the objective of capturing Paris. Standing in their way was the small but highly skilled British Expeditionary Force. Those opponents would meet outside the Belgian town of Mons in a short but brutal engagement that set the scene for many more battles to come. This is the story of that first action and the remarkable personal bravery shown that August day, which resulted in the award of the first two Victoria Crosses of WW1.

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Links:

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:34 Situational Overview
01:35 The British Expeditionary Force
03:54 Germany Attacks
04:33 The British Situation
05:36 Mons
06:59 British Battlefield Positions
08:36 German Forces Arrive
09:02 The Battle Begins!
10:49 The Lone Sniper
11:37 Fighting at Nimy
14:24 Last Stand By Godly
15:36 British Withdrawal
15:54 Visiting the Battlefield Today

Reference Material:

S. Jones, The Great Retreat of 1914 (2018)
APG Vivian, The Phantom Brigade (1930)
JGW Hyndson, From Mons To The First Battle of Ypres (2014 Version)
R. Dunlop & H. Puttkammer, The Battle of Mons: The Official German History (2020 Verison)

Sources:

The Fusilier Museum, London
The Middlesex Regiment Museum
The Battle of Mons (1926 Film)
National Library of Scotland Image Archive
War Diaries of the Battalions (Naval and Military Press)
Commonwealth War Graves Commission Archive (CWGC)
US National Archives (NARA)
The National Archives, Kew (TNA)
Google Earth Pro & Web Versions
Memory Maps, Trench Maps of the First World War
Maptiler Pro (Desktop Version)

Credits:
• Research: Dan Hill & Dr. Spencer Jones
• Script & Narration: Dan Hill
• Editing: Simon James
• Thumbnail Design: Linus Klassen
• Music & Sound Effects: Epidemic Sounds/Shane Greer

[BattleGuideVT]

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[anthonycosgrave]

My grandfather served with the Royal Irish Regiment (18th of Foot) and was wounded in three places on Aug 23rd at Mons. He was taken prisoner in his hospital bed that day. He was a POW until September 1917 when he was exchanged via the Red Cross and arrived in his hometown of Clonmel Co. Tipperary in ireland later that month. He passed away in 1954. His brothers served with the 4th Queens own Hussars and 8th and 14th Hussars. His brother lies in unicorn cemetery Vendhuile KIA June 5th 1917. All in all 9 of my family served in the great war. Three never came home. They lie in France, Belgium and Gallipoli and never saw Ireland again. As a postscript last Nov out 18th of Foot Association (Royal Irish Regiment 1684-1922) held a ceremony of the 100th anniversary of a Celtic Cross which was unveiled at La Bascule Crossroads in Mons. Present at this were ranking officers of the British/French/Belgian/irish armies. Wreaths were laid and four national anthems played. Honours were given to the fallen of all the Allied armies 1914-1918. Lest we forget.

[johnbrereton]

My Grandfather Percy Edgar Brereton MM was also a 'Die Hard' serving with the 1st Battalion Middlesex regiment. He won his Military Medal for bravery under fire at the Battle of the Somme in 1916.
Lest we forget ! 🌹🇬🇧

[davepowell]

A strong and cogent narrative uninterrupted by music is becoming scarcer so thanks for this excellent presentation.

[alanpaterson]

My Grandfather CSM Charles Wilson 2 KOSB. Mortally wounded at Mons 23 Aug 1914. Died the following day buried in Hautrage military cemetery. RIP

[mugsnvicki]

A great video. My great grandfather Fred Appleby served with the KOYLI and was wounded in November 1914 and sent back to England to recover. When his enlistment was up and he came to Canada, only to re enlist. I have a German bayonet, German binoculars and the grandfathers' badges... My grandfather, JE Mountenay joined the 116th Battalion and saw action with them. I remember both gentlemen quite well as a teenager. Lest we forget!!

[PDJ]

Sid Godley is buried in Loughton cemetery in Essex. His name isn't forgotten here.

[kennethwood]

...that last casualty--brought a tear to these ancient eyes...

[peterkemp]

Remembering: Joseph Ernest Kemp, 2Bn Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regt and all other's who fell during 'The Battle of Mons 1914'. When War was declared on the 4th August 1914, Joseph Ernest Kemp was an electric Tram Car Conductor in Bradford. He was married to Norah Ann Kemp and they had a daughter Cissie age 18 months and son Joseph Ernest (Jr) age 2 months (my Grandfather). He was also a reservist with The Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment and upon mobilisation re-joined his Regiment in Dublin and was in France by the 16th. He was KIA on the 24th August 1914 (less than three weeks after being mobilised) during The battle of Mons and has a headstone marked 'Burried near this spot' in Hautrage Military cemetary. Rest in peace, you and your comrades will never be forgotten.

[DaveJohnson-ohlg]

My wife's grandfather John Henry Walker was in the thick of this battle and was declared 'Missing in Action" on 24th August. He was part of the Cheshire regiment and was wounded and taken to field hospital in Caudrey and then became a POW in Doberitz until 1918. He died in Birkenhead in 1932 aged 45

[RickTransit]

This is superbly done. Probably the best and clearest description of the battle of Mons and its wider significance that I've ever seen.

[andrewcarter]

Very well told. These stories should never be forgotten. Whatever our views of the war, these were young men, doing what they believed was their duty and ready to give their lives.

[timrobards]

Very well done video, thank you. As an American branch of the Kipling family, I have been interested in this story for many years and found this video quite informative.

[martinhodgson]

Brilliantly put together and presented, as with all of your material. Excellent!

[michaelpoyntz]

This was the best documentary commentary on any battle that I have ever reviewed! Brings you right to the front seat of a vicious battle....how close....you can smell the cordite!

[MrLemonbaby]

Damn, you do a highly professional job, production values, narrative, all with a coherence so that the viewer is never "lost". Thank you very much.

[copferthat]

It's a very humbling experience watching this story

[brianfoley]

Possibly one of the best "short" descriptions of this critically important phase of the Great War, well done Sir, well done indeed.

[VloggingThroughHistory]

Fantastic job telling this story. Really enjoyed it.

[aBRUSHforCONFUCIUS]

My favorite actor Ronald Colman was wounded here. It shattered his ankle and he was mustered out, later the next year. His movies in the 1930's and 40's are terrific. My favorite being "Lost Horizon."