Battle of Cambric (1918)

For the battle which saw the first massive use of the tanks seeing Bataille of Cambric (1917)

The Battle of Cambric of 1918, also known as second battle of Cambric , opposed troops of the Canadian Corps, first, third and fourth armies British, the American Corps, and forces of the German Empire. It belongs to long series of battles on the Ligne Hindenburg. The battle proceeded October 8th with the October 10th 1918.

It called upon several of the new tactics of 1918, in particular the tanks, which explains why it was carried out in a very short time, did few victims and is concluded by a brilliant success.

The battle

The Germans had three lines which extended on approximately 7000 meters. The sector being calm until there it was furnished little: 20th Landwehr and the 54ème Reserve, supported per less than 150 pieces of artillery. The German defenders were not ready to face the surge of 324 tanks.

The October 8th, the the 2nd Canadian Division tie-beam in Cambric by meeting only little resistance. It continued towards north without waiting, leaving the “cleaning” of the city to the the 3rd Division Canadian which followed it closely. When this unit entered the city the October 10th it found it deserted. It than 20 had on the whole less died there.

Consequences

Although the Cambric catch definitely faster than was envisaged, the resistance of the German troops to the North-East of the city hardens, slowing down the advance of the Canadians and obliging the Canadian Body to cut off itself.

References

Keegan, John; The First World War , the U.K. ED (Pimlico edition, London, 1999)
Berton, Pierre, Marching ace to war , 2001.
The Battles off the Hindenburg Line

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