Result of an image search for the man:

http://www.forumeerstewereldoorlog.nl/viewtopic.php?t=7628 (scroll down to middle of the page; seems quite trustworthy as it is a period article including dates of birth and death)

I am quite sure that in these photos below there is 2nd Lt Charles Henkart, behind the Lewis mg and in the middle between Opel (left) and Pipe (right).�

If you compare the man shown on those photos to that one which Pat showed, he looks same.�

Other persons on these photos I don't know. But here are some suggestions. I know that with him were fighting Prince Henri Louis Baudouin de Ligne, Count Henri de Villermont, Baron Philippe Henri Leon de Zualart, Sergeant Misson, Alfred Croisiere, Gendarme Otte and Strauss - an American volunteer. There is also an old newspaper interview of Baron Ciergleys, an Englishman from Ashford and distant relative to Henkart. He said that he was with Henkart, but so far I have found no evidence of this Baron from other sources, so I assume this might be war propaganda or name changed.�

I have studied this subject quite a lot. Here is attached a map sketch of his patrols, drawn by myself as you can see when looking the extraordinary quality...

Sketch is based on a copy of an article which made him world famous. This "Ironclad Hero" article was published in several newspapers all over the English speaking world in September and October 1914.�

I found this article at least 50 % truthful. I think in autumn 1914 newspapers were not so much sensored yet. Never heard about Henkart's diary.�

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MTorrent - thank you for this great post.

From the people you mentioned I read only about Prince Henri Louis Baudouin de Ligne - I know he was killed in action, but I'm not sure if in the same action as Henkart.�Here: http://www.forumeerstewereldoorlog.nl/viewtopic.php?p=161784#161784�I�found that he died on 8th September, so that would be 2 or 3 days later than Henkart.

But in "Early Armoured Cars" by E. Bartholomew there is information that they both died on 6th September.

Here: http://www.forumeerstewereldoorlog.nl/viewtopic.php?p=140962#140962�it is written that Henkart died on 5th September.

Do you know what are true dates of their deaths?

Here in the last post our Belgian expert gemsco denied that the photo shows Henkart: http://landships.activeboard.com/t33822577/total-number-of-armoured-cars-usedproduced-per-nation/

I know gemsco is working on a book on Belgian WW1 armoured cars, but we'll have to wait a year or more. I hope he'll add something to this thread. I'm especially curious if Henkart's diary exists.

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Actually I have used internet well... I found some newspaper articles about this subject and also some Belgian websites.��

Prince Baudouin's faith was found after putting few pieces together: an newspaper interview of Baron Ciergleys where he told that he was wounded and transferred behind. Then I found some Belgian family history sites where Prince Baudouin and his death date was mentioned.�

This is interesting, I agree. I would be very happy to know much more about this subject. If I would win in a lottery, I would travel to Belgium and England too to study archives...�

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Here is an interview of this mystical Baron Ciergleys:�

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http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9C0CE4D7153FE233A25751C2A9679D946596D6CF

James, I’m very happy you revived this thread. I also dug into Henkart and generally Belgian armored cars of WW1 and this fascinating subject is full of myths in books, articles and Internet.

Great research on Henkart’s headgear, now there is absolutely no doubt it’s him on these few known photos.

Georges E. Mazy’s (gemsco’s) knowledge of WW1 Belgian armored cars was second to none and his doubts regarding Henkart’s headgear don’t change anything in this matter. He published many great articles. Unfortunately he hasn’t completed his book he has worked on from at least 1980s... I tried but failed to establish whether there is any chance that someone will complete it and publish it some day.

My main problem with Henkart is that I don’t know what he did during the war before August 15, 1914 and between August 23 and the evening of September 4, 1914... Do you know anything about it, James?
Also there is doubt whether his two improvised armored cars were his or were captured from Germans. Probably the latter.

Cheers,
Albert

Yes, these were Opel and Pipe. And according to one of Georges Mazy’s articles they were captured at Boneffe on August 13, 1914... Also in one issue od „The Autocar” there are photos of these vehicles and they are described as being of German origin! We will probably never be absolutely sure.

James, could you reveal what is your French source on Henkart? I wonder if I know it.

Together we can achieve something  I never thought about looking for a postcard with a photo of Henkarts chateau, that’s new to me, thanks again!

James H wrote:

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Try this:

1914 La première et la seule, la Belgique fait usage d'autos blindées: Tome 1, by Françoise Arnaud

Chérimont is still a going concern: https://www.cherimont.com/

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Thanks James! I have this book. It's a little strange. First 200 pages tell the story of Belgium and Europe before the war - unnecessary! Later there is some info on Belgian armored cars of 1914. I don't mean this book is useless regarding this subject (thanks to it I became aware of existence of three books which mention actions of Belgian armored cars in 1914), but this part is not very well researched and regarding Henkart the author repeats old myths (wrong date of Henkart's last battle - 6th September, should be 5th; 450 Germans - also not true). However this book (and its less known 2nd tome and there will also probably be 3rd!) shines when it comes to history of ACM - this is its main subject and the story is described at great length.

Yes, a known photo, but usually it’s of worse quality, you found a nice copy. Henkart (first from the right, we can see his back) is in his Opel armored car, a Lewis machine gun is clearly seen. This Lewis is surely Belgian, no doubt about that, no matter if we believe this Opel was Henkart’s private car or it was captured from the Germans. I’ve seen two contrary captions regarding what units are these cyclists and cavalrymen from.

I randomly found this post. I am responding because Charles Henkart was my great great grandfather, and this story has been passed down in our family. Imagine my surprise to find people asking about him. 

Here is a newspaper article that I was shown as a kid

HENKART Charles-Emile - né le 26.6.1882 - décédé le 5.9,1914

5.9.1914

Article dans « Le Soir» LA CAMPAGNE 1914-1918

UNE EXPEDITION EN AUTOMBILES BLINDES

Dimanche 12 octobre, en l'hôtel de ville de Bruxelles, le colonel breveté d'état-major, de Krahe remettra au nom du Roi, un drapeau à la Fraternelle des autos blindés de la campagne 1914-1918. Aucun Tyrtée ne s'est levé en notre héroïque et prosaïque petit pays tant aimé, pour chanter les fabuleux exploits de nos « blindés ».

Tout au plus trouve-t-on dans l'ouvrage « De la Meuse à l'Yser » de Maurice

Gauchez, quelques pages sur ceux qui furent, en Limbourg, après la chute d'Anvers, les chevaliers modernes, sans peur et sans reproche.

Faut-il dire que la mobilisation d'août 1914, trouva notre armée dépourvue d'automobiles et que l'emploi de pareils véhicules comme moyens de reconnaissance n'avait fait l'objet d'aucune étude de notre Etat-major général. II fallut en cela comme en bien d'autres domaines, innover.

Le 28 août 1914, alors que l'armée de campagne venait d'effectuer sa première sortie du camp retranché d'Anvers, le haut-Commandement décida de doter chacune des grandes unités d'autos-blindés munis de mitrailleuses.

Les usines « Minerva » en fournirent douze.

Il fallut sélectionner leur personnel parmi les nombreux volontaires avides de chasser le « boche ».

La liste de ceux ayant appartenu aux « autos-blindés » fournit le plus bel exemple de l'élan patriotique qui souleva toutes les classes sociales en 1914. Les exploits accomplis au cours du mois de septembre par les « blindés » sont devenus légendaires. Ils fournirent sur l'Yser matière à maints récits dont s'enthousiasmaient les « boueux » éclairés d'une chandelle.

Une des plus belles figures est celle du jeune lieutenant Henkart, né à Wavre, le 26 Juin 1882.

Poursuivant la série des audacieuses expéditions qu'il avait entreprises dès le début de la guerre, il part le samedi 5 septembre du camp retranché d'Anvers. Avec lui, dans la première voiture : Maréchal des logis des guides Misson, les volontaires DE Zualart et comte Hennequin de Villermont.

Deuxième voiture : Les soldats volontaires baron de 't Serclaes, prince Baudouin de Ligne, Croisier et maréchal des logis de gendarmerie Litsch.

Troisième voiture : Gendarme Ott, caporal milicien de 1913 des grenadiers Strauss, maréchal des logis de gendarmerie Renard et soldat de la compagnie de télégraphistes De Herdt.

Vers 11 heures, à Herenthals, des habitants signalaient au lieutenant Henkart la présence de quelques soldats allemands sur la route de Gheel.

Les trois « blindés » filent à toute vitesse. Au hameau de « Het Punt », carrefour de la route de Diest, l'ennemi est signalé dans la direction de Westerloo. Au croisement de Zammel, les renseignements se précisent. « Faites attention, labas, à 400 mètres, il y a plein d'Allemands dans les petits bois ».

Aucune hésitation de la part du lieutenant Henkart, il lève le bras. En avant. L'auto fit 150 mètres puis s'arrêta net, le moteur criblé de balles. Le conducteur de Zualart, frappé à la tête, s'écroulait sur le cadavre du jeune officier ! L'embuscade allemande était bien préparé. La vigie placée dans le moulin à vent a donné le signal de l'hécatombe !

Les 2® et 3° « blindés » ouvrent le feu. De Villermont quittant la première voiture est tué. Le maréchal des logis Misson court « sus à l'ennemi » on ne le reverra plus.

La fusillade crépite, les balles allemandes s'écrasent sur les blindages dans un bruit de castagnettes. Nos mitrailleuses ripostent, l'ennemi recule...

De la 3° voiture, le maréchal des logis Renard fauche la lisière des bois, tandis que son collègue Litsch balaie la route. Un court silence... Tirez donc, hurle Renard !

A la 2° voiture, la mitrailleuse s'est tue, tous les occupants : t Serclaes, le prince de Ligne, Croisier et Litsch sont frappés à mort !

La 3° « blindée » s'approche. Tandis que la mitrailleuse fauche, on hisse à bord, les blessés, les morts.

Sur la route de Diest, les Allemands s'avancent, une rafale bien ajustée décime leurs rangs, l'officier est tué.

C'est la fin du combat épique. A 14 heures, les morts, les blessés étaient tous ramenés à Herenthals, seule la première automobile était abandonnée, ses avaries étant trop graves.

Le 9 septembre 1914, une phrase lapidaire de l'ordre du jour signalait le haut fait d'armes. Le Roi décernait l'ordre de Léopold au lieutenant Henkart et à ses héroïques compagnons.

Major L. Tasnier.

Translation:

Sunday, October 12, at Brussels City Hall, Colonel (General Staff brevet) de Krahe will, in the name of the King, present a flag to the Fraternal Association of Armored Cars from the 1914–1918 campaign.

No Tyrtaeus has arisen in our small, beloved, heroic, and prosaic country to sing of the legendary exploits of our “armored cars.”

At best, a few pages in Maurice Gauchez’s From the Meuse to the Yser mention those who, in Limburg after the fall of Antwerp, became modern knights — fearless and without reproach.

It must be said that in August 1914, our army was almost entirely devoid of motor vehicles, and that the use of such vehicles for reconnaissance had not even been studied by our General Staff. In that, as in many other domains, we had to innovate.

On August 28, 1914, as the field army completed its first sortie from the entrenched camp of Antwerp, the High Command decided to equip each major unit with armored cars armed with machine guns.

The Minerva factories supplied twelve.

Personnel had to be selected from among the many volunteers eager to hunt the “Boche.”

The list of those who served in the “armored cars” provides the finest example of the patriotic fervor that stirred every social class in 1914.

The feats performed during September by the “armored units” became legendary. On the Yser front, their deeds inspired many tales told by soldiers (“muddy ones”) under candlelight.

One of the most remarkable figures was Lieutenant Charles Henkart, born in Wavre on June 26, 1882.

Continuing the series of daring expeditions he had undertaken since the beginning of the war, he departed the entrenched camp of Antwerp on Saturday, September 5.

In the first car:

• Sergeant of Guides Misson

• Volunteers De Zualart and Count Hennequin de Villermont

In the second car:

• Volunteer soldiers Baron de ’t Serclaes, Prince Baudouin de Ligne, Croisier

• Sergeant of Gendarmerie Litsch

In the third car:

• Gendarme Ott

• Corporal Strauss (Grenadiers, class of 1913)

• Sergeant of Gendarmerie Renard

• Telegraphist soldier De Herdt

Around 11 a.m., in Herenthals, locals reported to Lieutenant Henkart the presence of German soldiers on the road to Gheel.

The three armored cars sped off at full speed. At the hamlet of Het Punt, crossroads of the Diest road, the enemy was reported in the direction of Westerloo. At the Zammel crossing, the reports became precise:

“Be careful — about 400 meters ahead, there are lots of Germans in the small woods.”

Lieutenant Henkart hesitated not for a second. He raised his arm: Forward!

The car advanced 150 meters, then stopped abruptly — the engine riddled with bullets.

The driver, De Zualart, struck in the head, collapsed onto the body of the young officer — dead!

The German ambush was well prepared. A lookout in the windmill had given the signal for the massacre.

The 2nd and 3rd armored cars opened fire.

De Villermont, leaving the first car, was killed.

Sergeant Misson charged at the enemy — he was never seen again.

Rifles crackled; German bullets rattled on the armor like castanets.

Our machine guns replied — the enemy fell back.

From the third car, Sergeant Renard swept the edge of the woods, while his comrade Litsch raked the road.

A brief silence…

“Fire, damn it!” shouted Renard.

From the second car — silence; the machine gun was still.

All its occupants — ’t Serclaes, Prince de Ligne, Croisier, and Litsch — had been struck dead.

The third armored car advanced. While the machine gun kept firing, the wounded and dead were lifted aboard.

On the road to Diest, the Germans advanced again; a well-aimed burst mowed down their ranks — the enemy officer was killed.

It was the end of this epic combat.

By 2 p.m., all the dead and wounded were brought back to Herenthals; only the first car was abandoned — its damage too severe.

On September 9, 1914, a terse line in the daily orders recorded the heroic deed.

The King awarded the Order of Leopold to Lieutenant Henkart and his brave companions.

Major L. Tasnier