On November 20, 1917, at the Battle of Cambrai, a Canadian cavalry squadron (The Fort Garry Horse) was preparing for an attack when their officer was killed. Lieutenant Harcus Strachan immediately took control of the situation, leading 128 cavalrymen in a charge on an entrenched German position. Facing not just a row of machine guns, but also field artillery, his force had dwindled to just 43 men by the time they reached the enemy. Strachan proceeded to kill seven gunners himself with his sword, and his squadron was able to secure the location. However, as the expected support from the infantry and the newly developed tanks was not forthcoming, they soon found themselves surrounded by German forces. With little ammunition, Strachan came up with a bold plan—they would fool the Germans into thinking that the Allied advance was continuing. His men cut the enemy telephone cables and loosed the few remaining horses in a stampede toward the German machine gunners. The diversion allowed the men to escape back to the Allied camp.All in all, Strachan and his men killed 100 Germans and captured another 15, showing that bravery and ingenuity could still compete with superior technology.
For his actions,Lieutenant Strachan was awarded the Victoria Cross. He later served in World War II, ultimately reaching the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was such a badass that the Canadians named a mountain and a lake in his honor. #bossmode #stayzero