The Angels of Mons

Dear Readers,

In my last post I referred to the 1918 National Day of Prayer.  Whilst reading about this in David Gardner's, 'The Trumpet Sounds for Britain', Volume 2, I re-read his account of a most miraculous evidence of God's power and help which occurred in the Spring of 1918 - the story of  'The Angels of Mons'.  I wonder if you have heard of it?

This 'story' never fails to move me and I would like to share it with you to encourage you that God still works today, just as he did in Bible Times (and I thought some of you might have a bit more time to read if you are having days off in the Christmas to New Year week!).  

If you search 'The Angels of Mons' on google it appears it is now regarded as a legend, as an exaggeration or fiction.  Gardner himself tells us that there have been many versions written about this story, but suggests that though they differ in some aspects all are substantially true.   

Here it is, and I hope you will enjoy it as much as I do:

Gardner writes,

My father, who was in action on the Somme during the First World War used to talk to me as a boy, and to many of his friends, about the 'Angels of Mons', but it was only two or three years ago that I came across an authentic account of what happened.

In the Spring of 1918, the Germans had broken through the Allied line. Heavy casualties were sustained, reserves were practically exhausted, and the situation was becoming quite desperate for the Allied armies.  What happened next was described in an article which appeared in the winter 1942 journal of the Brigade of Guards.

'As the break-through continued, the Germans concentrated high explosive and machine-gun fire at Bethune, in Belgium, the focal point of their advance, preparatory to a bayonet attack in mass formation.  Suddenly the enemy shell fire lifted and concentrated on a slight rise beyond the town.  The ground here was absolutely bare - yet enemy machine-guns and shells raked it from end to end with a hail of lead.  As suddenly as it started, the enemy's fire ceased.  The dense line of German troops, which had started to move forward to victory in mass formation, halted dead.  And as the British watched, they saw that line break!  The Germans threw down everything they had - and fled in frantic panic.'  

'What was the explanation? Why this sudden dramatic turn of events?'

"The order was given to advance in mass formation, and our troops were marching behind us singing their way to victory when Fritz, my lieutenant here, said: "Herr Kapitan, just look at that open ground behind Bethune.  There is a Brigade of Cavalry coming up through the smoke drifting across it.  They must be mad, these English to advance against such a force as ours in the open.  I suppose they must be cavalry or one of their colonial forces, for, see, they are all in white uniform and are mounted on white horses."

"Strange", I said; "I have never heard of the English having any white-uniformed cavalry, whether colonial or not.  They have all been fighting on foot for several years past, and anyway they are in khaki, not white."

"Well, they are plain enough", he replied. "See, our guns have got their range now; they will be blown to pieces in no time."

We saw the shells bursting among the horses and their riders, all of whom came forward at a quiet walk-trot, in parade-ground formation, each man and horse in his exact place.

Shortly afterwards our machine-guns opened a heavy fire, raking the advancing cavalry with a hail of lead; but on they came, and not a single man or horse fell.

Steadily they advanced, clear in the shining sunlight, and a few paces in front of them rode their leader, a fine figure of a man, whose hair, like spun gold, shone in an aura around his head.  By his side was a great sword, but his hands lay quietly holding the reigns, as his huge white charger bore him proudly forward.

In spite of heavy shell and concentrated machine-gunfire the white cavalry advanced, remorsely as fate, like the incoming tide surging over a sandy beach....

Then a great fear fell on me, and I turned to flee; yes, I, an officer of the Prussian Guard, fled, panic stricken, and around me were hundreds of terrified men, whimpering like children, throwing away their arms and accoutrements in order not to have their movements impeded...all running.  Their one desire was to get away from that advancing White Cavalry; above all, from their awe inspiring leader whose hair shone like a golden aureole.

That is all I have to tell you.  We are beaten.  The German Army is broken.  There may be fighting, but we have lost the war; we are beaten-by the White Cavalry...I cannot understand...I cannot understand."

This is taken from the account of the staff captain, 1st Corps Intelligence, 1st British Army Headquarters, 1916-1918, who was present himself and took the statement from the German officer.  The article continues:

'Many German prisoners were examined during the days that followed, and their accounts tallied in substance with the one given here.'

Thus during two days, fierce fighting around Mons, the German advance was halted long enough to allow the British Expeditionary Force to withdraw to safer positions, and begin to prepare counter-attack....

It is plain that those who were there, both German and British, were well aware that something by way of a divine intervention had taken place to halt the German advance and to turn the tide in favour of the Allies at this very critical time.

... ... ...

Isn't this account wonderful? It reminds me of the Revelations and the description of Jesus,

'And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.  His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew but he himself.  And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood; and his name is called The Word of God.  And the armies which followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean...' (Revelation 19:11-14).

It also makes me think how much unseen goes on around us as the Lord takes care of us and works out his sovereign will.  May we have our eyes opened to the wonders the Lord performs on our behalf so that we might thank and praise him more.

World War 1 trench photo by British Library on Unsplash

White horse in black and white photo by Austrian National Library on Unsplash