In the footsteps of the French Navy Fusiliers Brigade “from the Scheldt to the Yser”

From 28 September on, the Germans start the siege of Antwerp, destroying one fort after the other with their heavy artillery. The allies react by sending an expeditionary force of 54,000 men to relieve Antwerp on 4 October. As the situation becomes untenable, the decision is made to retreat from Antwerp on 6 October and to move the Belgian army over to the left bank of the Scheldt.

In the meantime, the British 7 th Infantry Division and the 3rd  Cavalry Division arrive in Ostend and Zeebrugge. Together with his 6500 men of the French Navy Fusiliers Brigade, the Admiral Ronarc’h leaves Dunkirk to rally Ghent by train. The first element of this expeditionary force reaches Ghent on 8 October. By then, a majority of Belgians have already left Antwerp while the Germans are now threatening the further march towards the city.

On the night from 9 to 10 October, the French soldiers march towards Aalter and Tielt. They are followed two hours later by the British troops. The next day, Admiral Ronarc’h takes position with his brigade around Torhout. The blatant German supremacy forces them to retreat towards the city of Diksmuide on 12 October. Together with the Belgian units, the Navy Fusiliers fiercely defend Diksmuide. They have to give up the city on 10 November before entrenching themselves on the left bank of the Yser.

The French Navy Fusiliers Brigade stood under command of Rear Admiral Alexis Ronarc'h. Through their commitment and their sacrifice they were able to cover the retreat of the Belgian troops from Antwerp to Diksmuide. The Navy Fusiliers Brigade fought along with the Belgian army from 1914 to 1915. They sacrified themselves in Diksmuide in order to stop the Germans and to protect the harbour of Dunkirk in October 1914.

A march of remembrance will be held between 8 and 12 October 2014. Ceremonies and exhibits are planned in different places. The French Protection and Commandment Vessel‘’Diksmuide’’is to reach the naval base of Zeebrugge with a detachment of Navy Fusiliers and the “Bagad de Lann Bihoué” band on board.
An honour detachment of the French Navy Fusiliers School at Lorient will attend the ceremony in Melle and Diksmuide. They are also awaited for the last stage of the march of remembrance on 12 October 2014.
The “Bagad de Lann Bihoué” band of the French Navy will play at the ceremonies in Melle and Diksmuide and participate in the commemorative concert on 12 October 2014 in Diksmuide.

For more details, please refer to : http://14-18-scheldt-yser.be.