A rearguard action during the Great Retreat in which the 2nd Connaught Rangers were cut off at Le Grand Fayt, suffering heavy losses while covering the British withdrawal.
Key Facts
- Date
- 26 August 1914
- British unit engaged
- 2nd Connaught Rangers, 2nd Division
- British commander
- Lt-Col A. W. Abercrombie
- Missing after action
- 6 officers and 280 men (as of 29 August)
- German formation
- X Reserve Corps, German 2nd Army
- German commander
- General Karl von Bülow
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Following the battles of 21–24 August 1914, General Karl von Bülow ordered the German 2nd Army to pursue Allied forces rapidly southwestward. The British 5th Infantry Brigade retreated from Petit Landrecies, with the 2nd Connaught Rangers assigned as rearguard; however, orders confirming the retreat had been completed never reached Lieutenant-Colonel Abercrombie.
On 26 August, Abercrombie led two platoons toward Marbaix after hearing rifle fire, only to come under heavy German artillery and machine-gun fire. Retreating to Le Grand Fayt on local advice that it was clear, the Rangers found the village occupied by concealed German forces and came under intense fire. The unit withdrew through open fields in orderly fashion despite difficult terrain and enemy fire.
By 29 August, 6 officers and 280 men, including Abercrombie himself, were listed as missing. The German X Reserve Corps remained near Marbaix and Avesnes by evening, and von Bülow ordered continued pursuit on 27 August through Landrecies and Trélon, with the X Reserve Corps advancing toward Wassigny.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Lt-Col A. W. Abercrombie.
Side B
1 belligerent
General Karl von Bülow.