Le Cateau (DVD)
Imprint: Pen & Sword Digital
Running Time: 85 (mins)
ISBN: 5060247621135
Published: 30th June 2014
Last Released: 22nd May 2014
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Having temporarily checked the Germans at Mons the BEF had no alternative but to withdraw as they were outnumbered by the enemy and Lanrezac's Fifth French Army was falling back. The Germans, however, were soon in hot pursuit, sensing the BEF were at their mercy. In a series of rear guard actions the BEF managed to hold – just. Despite Field Marshal French's instructions General Smith-Dorrien knew that he had to turn and fight on the open chalk hills above the town of Le Cateau. Here II Corps stood as the German pressure mounted and a desperate battle resulted as more and more German troops came into action; men fell, guns were lost and saved but again the BEF were able to escape.
The retreat now began in earnest and repeated torturous marches followed, with little food and rest, testing even the sternest of constitutions; blisters burst and blood oozed from the boot. The Germans found the march equally challenging and at Nery once again the British Cavalry turned on the enemy and checked them. The retreat continued ever closer to Paris. Little did the Allies know that the German Schlieffen Plan was unraveling …
The BHTV team again take the viewers to the heart of the action to examine weapons, tactics and raw heroism as they tell the story. Illustrated with maps and location scenes, they make this most complicated of British battles easily understandable.
This DVD is wonderful, entertaining and deals expertly with the subject. Well worth the investment.
Military Archive Research
The program is a good mix of narration from a team of historians and battlefield guides, including a high percentage of it recorded on the battlefield itself, showing the open countryside where this took place.
Military Modelling
A good one to watch if you plan to make a visit to the area of the battlefield yourself.
The BHTV team have captured the drama of Le Cateau, the acts of great bravery and determination in the face of great odds, and an outcome that was far more than could be reasonably hoped for. Another excellent addition to the WWI DVD portfolio.
Firetrench
About Battlefield History TV
Pen and Sword Digital and Battlefield History TV formed their partnership in 2008 to provide customers with a wide variety of specialist programmes presented by well-known battlefield historians and qualified guides. The subjects they cover in detail are the First and Second World Wars, The Waterloo Campaign and Peninsular War and they even go back as far as the Dark Ages. Each DVD will be of interest to military enthusiasts, wargamers, battlefield tourists, re-enactment groups, students of particular battles or campaigns and military modellers.