Battle of Cambrai (1918)

The Battle of Cambrai, 1918 (also known as the Second Battle of Cambrai) was a battle between troops of the British First, Third and Fourth Armies and German Empire forces during the Hundred Days Offensive of the First World War. The battle took place in and around the French city of Cambrai, between 8 and 10 October 1918. The battle incorporated many of the newer tactics of 1918, in particular tanks. The attack was an overwhelming success with light casualties in an extremely short amount of time.

For the first major tank offensive, see Battle of Cambrai (1917).
Battle of Cambrai, 1918
Part of the Hundred Days Offensive of World War I

Canadian troops advancing along the Arras-Cambrai Road
Date8–10 October 1918
Location
Cambrai, France
Result Allied victory
Belligerents

 British Empire

  German Empire
Commanders and leaders
Henry Horne
Julian Byng
Henry Rawlinson
Sir Arthur Currie		 Otto von Below
Strength
630,000 in 21 divisions
90,000 in 3 divisions
30,000 in 1 division
324 tanks		 180,000
Casualties and losses
12,000 10,000

Battle

There were three German lines, spanning some 7,000 yd (6,400 m); held by the 20th Landwehr and the 54th Reserve divisions, supported by no more than 150 guns.[1] The weak defence was due to the Allied general offensive across the Western Front, and specifically in this sector, the rapid approach of the Canadian Corps, who had overwhelmed much stronger defences in the previous days.[2] The German defenders were unprepared for the bombardment by 324 tanks, closely supported by infantry and aircraft.[3]

On 8 October, 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 10 October, they found it deserted. Fewer than 20 casualties had been taken.

Aftermath

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

The British soldier Arthur Bullock recounts entering Cambrai after it had been taken and the Front had moved to a ridge beyond. He describes the continued repulsion of the German forces, with "masses of troops being deployed and withdrawn to a strict timetable", and recorded that "what made the heart beat faster was the sound of music – the battalions were marching in with bands playing". He recalled that over half a million men could be seen from one position: "It was a spectacle on a grand scale, of irresistible military might operated on a clockwork basis with an assurance and buoyancy of spirit which baffles description". Bullock also recalls marching through "the empty echoing streets of Cambrai, with the band playing".[4]

Legacy

The Battle of Cambrai was featured in the game Battlefield 1 as the setting of the mission “Through Mud and Blood”.[5]

Notes
  1. Keegan (UK ed), p 396
  2. Christie, p 125
  3. Keegan (UK ed), p 397
  4. Bullock, 2009, pages 77-79
  5. "Battlefield 1 impressions: World War I's Battle of Cambrai has intense tank combat". Venture Beat. 17 October 2016. Retrieved 3 June 2020.

References
  • Brown, Angus (2006). In the Footsteps of the Canadian Corps; Canada's First World War 1914–1918. Ottawa: Magic Light Publishing. ISBN 1-894673-24-7.
  • Berton, Pierre (2001). Marching as to War: Canada's Turbulent Years, 1899–1953. Toronto: Doubleday Canada. ISBN 0-385-25725-2.
  • Bullock, Arthur (2009). Gloucestershire Between the Wars: A Memoir. The History Press. ISBN 978-0-7524-4793-3. (Pages 77-79)
  • Keegan, John (1999). The First World War (UK ed.). London: Pimlico. ISBN 0-7126-6645-1.
  • Christie, Norm (1997). For King and Empire: The Canadian at Cambrai, September–October 1918. Nepean, Ontario: CEF Books.

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