Casteau

Casteau

	In the centre of the picture is a memorial to the first encounter with the enemy between the British cavalry units and the advancing German patrols, which happened here in August 1914. The sign board in front of it is modern, one of several marking a tourist route.
	The hamlet of Maisières lies between Casteau and Nimy. A plaque on the church wall records the exploits of the 4th Royal Fusiliers, 4th Middlesex, 2nd Royal Irish Regiment and 56th Field Company, Royal Engineers on 23rd August 1914, and the fact that a number of men of these units fell here.

	The Mons-Conde canal runs through the northern outskirts of the town. Although altered somewhat in recent times, the general layout is much as it was in 1914. The infantry of II Corps of the BEF took up defensive positions along the canal bank (left in this picture) on 22nd August 1914, and were attacked from across the canal the next day. The railway bridge in the distance was a key point, defended by the machine gun section of the 4th Royal Fusiliers, as was the road bridge which is behind the photographer.
	Behind the canal bank, the flat ground was criss-crossed by the fences of numerous smallholdings - not an ideal position for defence or concealment. The spires of Mons can be seen across the fields.
	Today, under the railway bridge on the canal path is this memorial to a gallant defence by the Royal Fusiliers.