The actions of the Royal Marine Brigade at Lier, 4 to 6 October 1914
General Paris, at that time the commander of the Royal Marine Brigade, received the order to move to Antwerp in the early morning of October 3, 1914. The Brigade left at 8.30am from Dunkerque in a train formed by cattle cars. It drove through Bruges towards Antwerp. Machine guns were installed in the wagons for safety. The brigade arrived at 11pm in Oude God (Mortsel) and went from there to its rest area in Edegem.
In the early morning of October 4, 1914 the RM Brigade, together with the 7th Line Regiment and the 1st Regiment Carabiniers de Forteresse, relieve the 21st Line Regiment in the trenches on the Kleine Nete. The positions are located in a semi-circle around Lier, from Lachenenhof on the Nete southwest of Lier over Klaplaar to the banks of the river Nete at Lisp, north of Lier.
In the early morning of October 4, 1914 the RM Brigade, together with the 7th Line Regiment and the 1st Regiment Carabiniers de Forteresse, relieve the 21st Line Regiment in the trenches on the Kleine Nete. The positions are located in a semi-circle around Lier, from Lachenenhof on the Nete southwest of Lier over Klaplaar to the banks of the river Nete at Lisp, north of Lier.
Positions of the RMLI at Lier, 4 October 1914
The 7th Line and Chatham , Plymouth and Deal Battalions of RMLI take over the frontline, each with a local reserve. Portsmouth Battalion , the machine guns of the RNAS and the 1st Carabiniers de Forteresse are the reserve force . The area is divided into four distinct areas:
1 . The 7th Line Regiment from Lachenenhof to the railway line from Antwerp to Turnhout;
2 . The Chatham Battalion from the railway line to the Antwerpsesteenweg at Klaplaar;
3 . The Plymouth Battalion from the Antwerpsesteenweg at Klaplaar to Plas;
4 . The Deal Battalion from Plas to the Nete bank in Lisp
2 . The Chatham Battalion from the railway line to the Antwerpsesteenweg at Klaplaar;
3 . The Plymouth Battalion from the Antwerpsesteenweg at Klaplaar to Plas;
4 . The Deal Battalion from Plas to the Nete bank in Lisp
Each battalion in line supplies a company to serve as a blocking position in defense of the bridges over the Nete in the centre of Lier. The trenches are wide and shallow.
In the morning, the Germans carry out an attack to take the Nete-bridges. Major William Pryce - Browne, commander of the forward company of the Deal Dattalion, is wounded in this action . He dies on October 6, 1914 . Machine guns are discovered by the Germans and the buildings are shot to pieces. |
Barricade of the RMLI at the Antwerpsepoort, Lier
The forward company of the Plymouth Battalion (Commanded by Major AE Bewes) is attacked. The Marines open fire with machine guns and inflict heavy losses on a large group of Germans that subsequently retreats, leaving 200 casualties in the process. Later in the day, the Germans position a piece of field artillery and fire point-blank into the British positions.
The forward company of the Chatham Battalion (commanded by Major Schubrick) is simultaneously attacked by artillery and rifles. This unit also suffers some losses as a result.
In the afternoon of 4 October, the Belgian headquarters reports that Fort Kessel was evacuated. Half of the Portsmouth Battalion moves forward to the trenches.
The forward company of the Chatham Battalion (commanded by Major Schubrick) is simultaneously attacked by artillery and rifles. This unit also suffers some losses as a result.
In the afternoon of 4 October, the Belgian headquarters reports that Fort Kessel was evacuated. Half of the Portsmouth Battalion moves forward to the trenches.
During the night the Germans position artillery pieces on the Nete-dike. The British advanced positions are taken under direct fire and the compagnies withdraw to the actual front line, 800m further north. In the early morning of October 5, 1914, the Germans succeed in crossing the Nete at Lachenenhof and they are able to take the positions of the 7th Line Regiment. A counterattack around 4.30pm by the 7th Line with the 2nd Chasseurs à Pied and parts of the Portsmouth Battalion retakes the positions. |
The Royal Marines and 7th Line in the trenches near Lier
5-6 October 1914
The RM Brigade continues to hold its positions throughout the night, sporadically under fire from German artillery and snipers. Meanwhile, the 1st and 2nd Naval Brigades arrive by train at Antwerp and General Paris is appointed commander of the entire Royal Naval Division.
During the early morning of October 6, 1914, the Germans once again launch an attempt to cross the Nete at Lachenenhof. They take the hamlets of Boomlaar and Holst. The Belgian troops succeed in recapturing Boomlaar around 8am, but are forced back under heavy German pressure to the westof Donk. As a result, the entire right flank of the RM Brigade becomes exposed.
During the early morning of October 6, 1914, the Germans once again launch an attempt to cross the Nete at Lachenenhof. They take the hamlets of Boomlaar and Holst. The Belgian troops succeed in recapturing Boomlaar around 8am, but are forced back under heavy German pressure to the westof Donk. As a result, the entire right flank of the RM Brigade becomes exposed.
German attacks and Belgian-British counterattacks, 5-6 October, 1914
The positions of the Brigade are kept under heavy artillery fire all day, which results in several Marines being injured or killed. The situation worsens in the late afternoon of October 6, 1914 when the Germans manage to cross the Nete at Emblem. This crossing threatens the left flank of the Brigade.
At sunset, the Brigade retires to a new defensive line between Vremde and Boshoek. This position will be reinforced by the 1st and 2nd Naval Brigade. A number of units must leave the positions by creeping away.
At sunset, the Brigade retires to a new defensive line between Vremde and Boshoek. This position will be reinforced by the 1st and 2nd Naval Brigade. A number of units must leave the positions by creeping away.