Battle of Cambrai (1918)

:For the first major tank offensive, see Battle of Cambrai (1917)Infobox Military Conflict
conflict=Battle of Cambrai (1918)
partof=Hundred Days Offensive(WWI)


caption=Canadian Troops advancing along the Arras-Cambrai Road
date=October 8, 1918 - October 10, 1918
place=Cambrai, France
territory=
result=Decisive Allied victory
combatant1= British First Army
Canadian Corps
British Third Army|combatant2= German Empire
commander1=Arthur Currie
commander2=
strength1=4 Canadian Divisions
20 British divisions
324 tanks
strength2=2 regiments
150 guns (approx.)
casualties1= < 50 [Zhuelke, Mark, "Canadian Military Atlas", 2001]
casualties2=

The 1918 Battle of Cambrai, also referred to as The 2nd Battle of Cambrai, was an engagement fought between troops of the Canadian Corps, British First and Third Armies and German Empire forces. The Battle of Cambrai was one in a long series of battles across the Hindenburg Line. The Battle took place October 8 - October 10, 1918.The Battle incorporated many of the newer tactics of 1918, namely tanks, meaning that the battle was an overwhelming success with light casualties in an extremely short amount of time.

Battle

Although there were three German lines, spanning some 7,000 yards, the sector had been quiet for some time so it was lightly garrisoned: the 20th Landwehr and the 54th Reserve, supported by no more than 150 guns. [Keegan (UK ed), p 396] The German defenders were unprepared for the "hurricane bombardment" by 324 tanks. [Keegan (UK ed), p 397]

On October 8, the 2nd Canadian Division entered Cambrai and encountered sporadic and light resistance. However, they rapidly pressed northward, leaving the "mopping up" of the town to the 3rd Canadian Division following close behind. When the 3rd entered the town on October 10, they found it deserted. Less than 20 casualties had been taken.

Aftermath

Although the capture of Cambrai was achieved significantly quicker than expected, German resistance northeast of the town stiffened, slowing the advance and forcing the Canadian Corps to dig in.

ee also

*List of Canadian battles during World War I

References

*Keegan, John; The First World War, "UK Ed" (Pimlico edition, London, 1999)
*"In the footsteps of the Canadian Corps"
*Berton, Pierre, "Marching as to war", 2001.
* [http://www.1914-1918.net/bat30.htm The Battles of the Hindenburg Line]

External links