"Last charge of the German cavalry – The battle of Halen" Topic

"The summer of 1914 marks the beginning of the First World War when the European allies and central powers declared war on each other. The small country of Belgium was quickly overrun by German invaders, until their advance was halted at the Ijzer river and the violence continued in the trenches during the next four years. Due to the quick advance of the modern and strong German army, history tends to overlook small acts of bravery that couldn't change the tide of war. This article tells the story of Germany's last cavalry charge at the battle of Halen.

In August 1914, the German empire launched an attack aiming to advance through Belgium and attack France from the north. Belgium was forced to defend its neutrality and manned its fortifications around the city of Liège, which lies close to the German border. Using new, powerful 420mm howitzers, the invading German army sieged the Belgian emplacements. The Belgian fortresses defended themselves bravely but didn't stand a chance against Germany's modern weaponry. They hold out for eleven days, which is much longer than the two days anticipated by the German command…."
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Amicalement
Armand

There used to be an excellent little private museum about the battle with lots of uniforms and equipment recovered from the battlefield. Don't know if it is still going but it was a great museum and well worth a visit.

Apparently it the museum is still there:

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The Battle of Haelen was not the last German cavalry charge. Néry post-dated Haelen, for example. There were other examples, both on the Western and Eastern Fronts. Cavalry were very active in the latter theatre in what is now modern day Poland and Ukraine during 1915.

Robert

Thanks!.

Amicalement
Armand

I read the book with the title 'Last Great Cavalry Charge – the Battle of Halen'. It was a great read, and inspired me to build up my Belgium and German 1914 cavalry for a refight in 6mm.

It is a fine battle to war game. I have replayed it several times using the Great War Spearhead rules. Even more interesting having visited the battlefield.

There are details for a GWSH scenario here:

wargaming.org.nz/halen.html

Robert

Thanks also!

Amicalement
Armand