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On Saturday 31st October 1914, Halloweens Day at 9.00pm, to the sound of loud cheers and band music playing the Germans attacked the front of the London Scottish at the Windmill, Huns & Middle Farm. 1/5
The London Scottish gave the enemey, expert shots, as the Germans attacked in a mass dense in moonlight. With disfunctional Mark l rifles the London Scottish were able to repulse the first wave of attack. Numerous subsequent waves were then made by the Germans.
By midnight in full moonlight the Windmill to the centre of the London Scottish, haystacks, Middle & Huns Farm were on fire. The Germans were cheering with their bands striking up “Deutschland, Deutschland ὓber Alles.” For a second time the London Scottish held off the attack.
Wave upon wave the London Scottish repelled fierce German attacks. Sadly in the early hours the Germans eventually broke through, & Col. Malcolm realising how perilous the situation was ordered the London Scottish to extricate themselves back via Wulverghem.
By the close of the First Battle of Ypres 1914, in the southern part of the Ypres Salient the whole of the Messines & Wytschaete Ridge was in German hands. Today the London Scottish memorial sits directly on the site of where the Windmill stood exactly 106 years ago to the day.
