31st October 1914 - Stemming the German tide - Battle of Gheluvelt

On 31st October 1914, 375 battle-weary officers and men of the Worcestershire Regiment at the Belgian village of Gheluvelt were all that stood between the Kaiser's victorious army and the channel ports.
Defeat would have cut off the British expeditionary probably forcing the allies to surrender.
Against overwhelming odds the Worcesters who had already sustained heavy losses, bravely charged over open fields under intense fire to the heavily defended Gheluvelt Chateau where there was fierce hand-to-hand fighting. Eventually, the Germans retreated. The British line had held and the tide was turned, but 187 of the Worcesters were killed or wounded.
With access to the unique archives of the Worcester Regiment, military historian Dr Spencer Jones, explains how this remarkable engagement took place.

[@davidaitchison8875]

Really enjoying this series of documentaries. It's so important we remember the astonishing heroism and sacrifice of this generation of young men. Thank you.

[@jezalb2710]

It is important to remember that old politician care not about young people. Simply send them to death.

[@paullondon445]

Wonderful short documentary about this very important battle. Thank you. Also, wonderful to see my granddad (Capt. Bowring) included in this account. He is pictured in the painting at the end standing in the center pointing. My grandad survived WW1 and was then later called up during WW2 also. He also served with the Worcesters in the Boer war around 1901-02. My great uncle, lieutenant Freddie Biscoe pictured standing on the left in the painting with revolver in hand, was later killed in 1915 at Festubert and is buried in the war cemetery there along with some other Worcesters. My granddad and grandmother become quite good friends with the Gheluvelt chateau owners and after the war while he was stationed with the Rhine Army would visit and spend time there. Would love to visit one day soon and see this place for myself.

[@michaeldavies1471]

My great grandfather, John Davies, fought and survived this battle (Private within South Wales Borderers 1st Battalion). He fought in the Second Boer War before the Battle of the Marne, Battle of the Aisne, First Battle of Ypres, and some of the winter operations. He was then put on the reserve (3rd Battalion) after getting injured X-mas 1914 before being honourably discharged October 1915. Luckily he survived these battles otherwise I wouldn't be here today!! p.s would have been nice if the Welsh got a bit more credit towards the end of this video.

[@brucewilliams6292]

Very well presented; thank you!

[@asd36f]

With the 2nd Worcestershire restablishing the British line, this action effectively stopped the war of movement on the Western Front, leading to the onset of static trench warfare. Open movement would not happen again until the German Spring Offensive of 1918.

[@paulbeer404]

I went to the spot in 2003, my uncle was in the 1st SWB , I think they were glad to see the Worceters, I did see a memorial to the 1st Bn Goucesters at the church also , but the Worcestershires saved the day . My uncle was killed later Feb 22nd 1916 .

[@harrietburnage356]

Thanks for this v interesting documentary of this critical battle. PS I noticed that at the end of the film one of the officers killed is, I think, misnamed as Billington rather than Billingham.

[@haroldellis9721]

Fantastic video, thank you for making this for us.

[@droocoo5927]

Very cool Air Crew Europe tie!

[@jpmoses6208]

Such desperate days - Worcs - SWB- Gloucesters all saved the day - A great account of the action and recounted with an authentic Worcs Regt accent!

[@ronaldwhite1730]

Thank - You .

[@mikethespike7579]

It was noted in German military officer circles at the time that Kaiser Wilhelm was furious at how British troops were such a pain in the backside and able to stopped the advance of his army.

[@MrTaorluath]

Add to the 31st October 1914 the stand by the London Scottish Regiment at Messines. The first TA Infantry regiment into action.

[@ceceliaobrien1022]

You haven't included that they made the attack because of Brigadier General Charles Futzclarence.

[@cuanmccarogher4926]

Legendary battle!

[@user-xx2eq4vm3b]

My great grandfather William Edward Taylor served with the Worcester regiment during WWI then the Royal Warwickshire reg machine gun corps and the Royal engineers from his medical records I gather he was wounded numerous times from 1914 to November 11th 1918 he was one of eight relatives that served only four survived all from Saltley and Aston

[@johndunn6968]

my grandfather and my mates grandfather both fought at and survived this battle and the war...

[@vikingblood0408]

I will add to this in respect for this soldier. My Grandfather had to write for a local paper. It was titled at the time "Kingswinford Hero's Death". To a Ms. Homer, that her son Lance Corporal B.A. Broadway was killed in action. My Grandfather also wrote a letter to his Mother. I have all of this well documented in my archives.

[@LugerNut]

Where was Ms Homer based, do you know?

[@eamonnclabby7067]

Thank you for sharing this with us all,best wishes from the wirral....E

[@stephenmichalski2643]

I've heard of this action before somewhere......but I'm having trouble understanding how 3-400 men could be said to have stopped the German juggernaut......guess I need to see/understand the events in a wider scope.....or the effect this action had elsewhere 🤔🤔🤔

[@frederiquecouture3924]

The Bitter Enders...

[@huzaar100]

And what are the German recourses said about this day. It is mostly from the perspective of the British side.

[@tobyjohnson1239]

All men from my town died (350) in ww1 and like (1,000) in ww2 LEST WE FORGET

[@cuanmccarogher4926]

Respect

[@TheTwoFingeredBulldog]

All the men?

[@vikingblood0408]

My Grandfather served in this regiment as a Sergeant (2nd). He was awarded a Distinguished Conduct Medal for taking out a German gun emplacement and pulling his injured men back to allied lines. The date was Jan.14.16. for acquiring the medal. www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=MsW4tlX9&id=D43982A2317486EC6998F64F4832D0607FE1FBF8&thid=OIP.MsW4tlX9lsYJouui9TP2pAHaHa&mediaurl=https%3a%2f%2fupload.wikimedia.org%2fwikipedia%2fcommons%2f1%2f13%2fDistinguished_Conduct_Medal_-_Victoria.jpg&exph=595&expw=595&q=distinguished+conduct+medal+ww1&simid=608031283149540119&ck=B493CE0005DE350586A7BFCC75E12FD7&selectedindex=0&form=IRPRST&ajaxhist=0&first=1&scenario=ImageBasicHover

[@rhysnichols8608]

Probably would’ve been better for everyone had Germany just won in 1914. Millions of lives saved on all sides, no Soviet Union and thus a second huge war, and the other long term economic, cultural and social affects that ww1 caused would’ve been avoided. Germany would have annexed Belgium and maybe Russian Poland, and become the dominant continental power. Britain would’ve remained ruler of the seas. Not a bad situation at all, only a slight shift of power in favour of Germany and away from France and Russia, and Germany was a largely good place. Of course, hindsight is a wonderful thing.

[@theskeptic2010]

The international bankers had already decided who would win.. Yes, in terms of lives lost overall and future European freedom, it would have been better if Germany had won WWI. Adolf Hitler wouldn't have become dictator, no October Revolution in Russia, no Second World War and no communist Iron Curtain or Berlin Wall etc. Yes Germany was a monarchy but Bismarck had instituted liberal ideas in education and social welfare, it's my belief that Germany would have eventually become a constitutional monarchy along the lines of Britain.

[@adler1964]

@@theskeptic2010 it was already one.

[@thomasjamison2050]

Pity the poor German troops, having to explain to their grandchildren how they were beaten by a regiment with a name whose pronunciation was so incredibly a forlorn hope.

[@richardgadberry8398]

KNICKERS 1914.

[@josephspinnerbiden3859]

Dude looks angry

[@harryeisermann2784]

just so much bs, It took 4 years, and a german muteny, to get an armistance, GERMAN troops where never defeated, it was a stalemate and Britain , needed help FROM anyone again. sooo be proud ?

[@rhysnichols8608]

This vid is a bit bias yes, but German armies were defeated in some battles although they certainly won more than they lost, and they never suffered any decisive defeats. Only the combined might of every advanced nation outside of Germany and Austria~Hungary was needed to beat the fatherland.

[@harryeisermann2784]

@@rhysnichols8608 its was a Crime, and the core of WW2, Hypocritsy and foul politics by the allieds , no excuses, as today in the middle east

[@tomortale2333]

Sounds sour grapes......tell that to a few who wer marched to Siberia [stalemate]

[@harryeisermann2784]

@@tomortale2333 nobody walked to Seberia after ww1 DUMBKOPF.#!! hajaha Boljewic uprising, Russian civil war. Hahaha after ww2'yes but 31 milion russians died, hmmmm who won again ?? count the loss, Phyruss victory?England BANKRUPT germany Wirtschaftswunder economic powerhouse in 10 year british demise, and untergang, bue bye poms, without Stalin, you speak german now

[@ilovenitnat]

Not so, read your history. The Germans knew they could not go on forever, with the US joining the Germans understood their last chance was the 1918 spring offensive. After this failed it was only a matter of time that Germany could not carry on. On the home front they were starving due to the Royal Navy blockades. Truly a war of attrition.