Cavalry Division

Reports from the ist Cavalry Division and the 3 2d Infantry Division substantiated this estimate of the portable flame thrower. In mid-December an element of the ist Cavalry Division encoxmtered an enemy emplacement on a narrow ridge in the Mount Minoro sector which commanded the approach along the mountain trail. Repulsed in several frontal attacks cavalrymen, supported by an assault team, circled wide and approached the position from the rear. The flame thrower sprayed the emplacement, and the defenders were cut down by small arms fire as they fled from their position. ... 

The last and greatest attack of the summer came on the 24th. At dawn, under cover of a heavy artillery barrage, the Germans released chlorine along a two-mile sector of the front, between the Menin Road and Sanctuary Wood, south-west of Ypres. The men who held the line — soldiers of the British 1st Cavalry, 4th and 28th Divisions — clutched hastily-issued respirators consisting of two layers of flannel (with tapes attached to tie over the mouth) which were meant to be dipped in soda solution before use, bottles of which were placed in the trenches. 

The wagons for this service are intended to carry 20,000 rounds each, and are drawn by four horses. Several wagons am organized into an equipment under the charge of a detachment of artillery several sneh equipments would be attached to an army of 60,000 men, one for each division of infantry and a proper proportion for the cavalry thf remainder being in reserve. 

There is no horsed cavalry in this division, but I saw the artillery and transport stables, which were large, airy, light and clean. I did not see much of the field-artillery units, which were out on a route march, except for one horse-drawn battery which I saw at mounted drill. The hospital was in good shape. I saw several barracks rooms, kept in excellent order. There were no mess halls. Each squad has a mess table in its own quarters, where the men eat. 

Chemical mortar units already with Sixth Army were the 98th and the 8yth Battalions. The former, having participated in the Wakde and Biak fighting, had entered a period of rest and rehabilitation. The 8yth Chemical Mortar Battalion, a recent arrival from the United States, supported X Corps in the Leyte operation, specifically the ist Cavalry and 24th Infantry Divisions. 

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