relation to the policy of defense. Three systems of battery positions
were built so as to distribute the guns in depth and sited so as to
cover the ground to the northeast, east, and south, in case the flanks
of the corps should be turned. These batteries were protected with
barbed-wire entanglements and machine-gun positions against a sudden
penetration of the enemy, and they were designed to become the natural
rallying points of infantry in this eventuality.
Successive lines of retirement were also prepared, battery positions
were selected, organized, and marked, cross-country tracks were opened
up, and observation posts, echeloned in depth, were located and wired
in.
On Vimy Ridge alone seventy-two new battery positions were built and
stacked with ammunition; these positions could be used either for the
distribution of the corps artillery in depth, or as positions which
reenforcing artillery could immediately take up in the event of a
heavy attack.
The weather being much finer during the months of January, February,
and March, 1918, than is generally the case, very good progress was
made, and the following defensive works were completed in rear of the
main front-line defensive system:
250 miles of trench;
300 miles of barbed-wire entanglements;
200 tunneled machine-gun emplacements.
In addition to the above, existing trench systems, dugouts, gun
positions, and machine-gun emplacements were strengthened and
repaired. Each trench system was plentifully marked with signboards
and many open machine-gun positions were sited and marked.
Machine-gun positions, defended localities, and certain portions of
trenches were stored with several days' supply of ammunition, food,
and water for the use of the garrisons.
The front held remained comparatively quiet during January, 1918, and,
except for minor patrolling encounters and occasional shoots, nothing
beyond the usual activity ever prevailing on a front held by this
corps occurred.
In the months of February and March, 1918, little or no work was being
done by the enemy on his actual defenses, but roads and disused trench
railways were being repaired. In the rear areas his ammunition and
engineer supply dumps were increasing in number and in size, while
fresh battery positions were appearing almost daily. Furthermore,
hostile aircraft and anti-aircraft guns were very active in preventing
reconnoissance by British aeroplanes.
Early in March, 1918, it was considered that the enemy's front was
ready for offensive operations. No concentration of troops had been
observed, but the numerous towns and villages in close proximity to
the front provided extensive accommodation and made it possible for
him to conceal such concentrations. Conditions so favorable to the
Germans required relentless vigilance on the part of the Corps
Intelligence Organization, as the Canadians were dependent on the
efficiency of this branch of the service for timely warning against
surprise attacks.
In addition to the preparation above mentioned the enemy assumed early
in February, 1918, a very aggressive attitude, raiding the Canadian
lines very frequently, using for the purpose specially trained storm
troops. His destructive shoots and intense gas shelling were also of
frequent occurrence. To quell this activity, numerous counter-raids,
retaliation shoots, and gas projections were carried out, and
especially in the Lens sector soon had the desired effect.
Prisoners captured in Canadian raids stated that all their divisions
had been brought up to strength and were undergoing hard training in
the tactics of semiopen warfare. They stated, or left it to be
understood, that the forthcoming German attacks were based on a very
deep initial penetration and the rapid exploitation of success. No
indications were given as to the points at which attacks would be
launched, but they stated that every one of their sectors was prepared
and practically ready. It was also definitely established that the
enemy reserve divisions were kept near railways, ready to be moved
quickly to the parts of the front selected for the coming drive.
CHAPTER XVI
HOLDING LENS AND ARRAS
On March 21, 1918, the Germans launched a violent attack against the
Fifth and Third British Armies. The battle resulting from this attack,
known as the Battle of Amiens, did not involve directly the majority
of the Canadian Corps. The latter on that date was disposed as
follows: Third Canadian Division (Major General L. J. Lipsett), in the
line, Mericourt-Avion sections; Fourth Canadian Division (Major
General Sir D. Watson), in the line, Lens-St.-Emile sections; First
Canadian Division (Major General Sir A. C. Macdonell), in the line,
Hill 70 section; Second Canadian Division (Major General Sir H. E.
Burstall), resting, Auchel area.
In the afternoon orders were received to take over the front of the
Sixty-second Division (Thirteenth Corps) in the Acheville sector. The
Second Canadian Division, then in reserve, was at first chosen to
execute this order. But when, somewhat later, the Canadian Corps was
instructed to keep one complete division in reserve, this order was
canceled, and instead the Third Canadian Division was ordered to
execute its frontage by relieving the Sixty-second Division in the
Acheville-Arleux sector, making the total Canadian front 17,000 yards.
In the evening of March 22, 1918, the Hill 70 sector, then held by the
First Canadian Division, was taken over by the Fourth, extending the
latter's frontage, while the former was placed in reserve.
Late that night General Headquarters ordered the withdrawal of the
First Canadian Motor Machine-Gun Brigade (Lieutenant Colonel W. K.
Walker) from the Vimy sector. This unit, the next morning, moved south
to the support of the Fifth Army, and by midnight of March 23, 1918,
having traveled over 100 miles during the day, all batteries were in
action on a thirty-five-mile front east of Amiens.
Under orders of the Fifth and later of the Fourth Army, it was ordered
to fight a rear-guard action to delay the advance of the enemy and to
fill dangerous gaps on the army fronts. For nineteen days this unit
was continuously in action north and south of the Somme, fighting
against overwhelming odds. Using to the utmost its great mobility, it
fought over 200 square miles of territory. It is difficult to appraise
in its correct extent the influence--material and moral--that the
forty machine guns of this unit had in the events which were then
taking place. The losses suffered amounted to about 75 per cent of the
trench strength of the unit, and to keep it in being throughout that
fighting, reenforcements by personnel of the infantry branch of the
Canadian Machine-Gun Corps were authorized.
On the 23d, at 10.50 a. m., the Second Canadian Division was ordered
to concentrate at once west of Arras in the Mont St.-Eloi area, and
having carried this out, passed into General Headquarters reserve.
The First Canadian Division was moved by busses to Couturelle area,
embussing at about midnight, March 27, 1918. At dawn, March 28, 1918,
the enemy struck heavily astride the river Scarpe, and the First
Canadian Division was ordered at 10.30 a. m. to retain the busses by
which they had moved south and to move back to the Arras-Bainville
area at once, coming there under orders of the Seventeenth Corps.
This move was very difficult, because some busses had already been
sent back to the Park, many units were still en route to the
Couturelle area, and the mounted units and transport were in column on
the road Hauteville-Saulty-Couturelle. The division, however,
extricated itself, and on the night of the 28th, under orders of the
Seventeenth Corps, placed two battalions in the forward area in
support of the Forty-sixth Infantry Brigade, Fifteenth Division. At
daybreak on the 29th the Third Canadian Infantry Brigade moved to
support the Fifteenth Division, and during the night of the 29th and
30th the First Canadian Brigade relieved the Forty-sixth Infantry
Brigade in the Telegraph Hill sector, that brigade front being
transferred from the Fifteenth Division to the First Canadian Division
on March 30, 1918.
The Second Canadian Division passed under orders of the Sixth Corps on
March 28, 1918, and moved forward in support of the Third British
Division in the Neuville-Vitasse sector. On the night of March 29-30,
1918, it relieved the Third British Division in the line, and on the
night of March 31-April 1, 1918, extended its front southward by
relieving the left battalion of the Guards Division.
The front held by the Second Canadian Division extended from south of
the Cojeul River, east of Boisleux St.-Marc, to the southern slopes of
Telegraph Hill (where it joined with the First Canadian Division), a
total length of about 6,000 yards. The Second Canadian Division held
this front for an uninterrupted period of ninety-two days, during
which time it repulsed a series of local attacks and carried out no
less than 27 raids, capturing 3 officers, 101 other ranks, 22 machine
guns, 2 trench mortars, and inflicting severe casualties on the enemy.
The aggressive attitude adopted by this division at such a critical
time and under adverse conditions had a most excellent effect and it
certainly reduced to the lowest point the fighting value of two German
divisions, namely, the Twenty-sixth Reserve Division and the One
Hundred and Eighty-fifth Division. The Second Canadian Division
returned under the orders of the Canadian corps on July 1, 1918.
The Third Canadian Division had been attached on March 27, 1918, to
the Thirteenth Corps. Thus, under pressure of circumstances, the unity
of command of the Canadian divisions had been destroyed. They were now
attached to two different armies (First and Third) and under command
of three different corps (Sixth, Seventeenth, and Thirteenth).
On March 28, 1918, the Germans launched a very heavy attack in the
Arras sector from Gavrelle to Puisieux. The Third, Fifteenth, Fourth,
and Fifty-sixth British Divisions successfully repulsed this
offensive.
The attack was renewed in the afternoon, north of the Scarpe, on the
front of the Fifty-sixth Division, but did not there meet with greater
success. A certain amount of ground had, however, been captured by the
enemy.
The renewed attack on the Fifty-sixth Division had considerably
lowered its power of resistance. German prisoners captured in the
morning were insistent that the attack would be renewed again on the
29th, by storm troops which had been held in reserve for the purpose
of capturing the Vimy Ridge by attacking it from the south. It was
most urgent that the Fifty-sixth Division should be supported without
delay.
On March 28, 1918, the Fourth Canadian Division, then holding the
Lens-St.-Emile-Hill 70 sector, was relieved by the Forty-sixth British
Division, First Corps, and in turn relieved the Fifty-sixth British
Division in the Oppy-Gavrelle sector.
On the completion of this relief the Canadian Corps was to relieve
the Thirteenth Corps, and General Sir Currie again assumed command of
the Third and Fourth Canadian Divisions.
In the meantime all the battalions which the Fourth Canadian Divisions
could spare were to be sent at once by the quickest way to the support
of the Fifty-sixth Division.
The Fourth Canadian Division, therefore, immediately organized a
Composite Brigade, under Brigadier General V. W. Odlum, consisting of
the three reserve battalions of the Tenth, Eleventh, and Twelfth
Brigades, and the support battalions of the Eleventh and Twelfth
Brigades. This Composite Brigade was moved in haste by light railway
and lorry to the vicinity of Mont St.-Eloi, from whence it marched
into reserve positions during daylight on the 28th.
On the night of the 28th-29th the units of the Fifty-sixth Division
which had been most heavily engaged were relieved by these five
Canadian battalions, which came under orders of the Third Canadian
Division.
It was not until about 10.00 p. m., on the night of the 28th-29th,
that the leading troops of the Forty-sixth Division arrived and began
to relieve the Fourth Canadian Division.
In view of the seriousness of the situation, units of the Fourth
Canadian Division were moved, as the relief progressed, by lorry and
light railway to Neuville St.-Vaast, and marched quickly into the line
to relieve the elements of the Fifty-sixth Division.
The situation of the Canadian divisions at noon, March 30, 1918, after
some other readjustments had been carried into effect, was as follows:
Third Army. Under Sixth Corps--Second Canadian Division:
Neuville-Vitasse sector. Under Seventeenth Corps--First Canadian
Division: Telegraph Hill sector.
First Army. Under Canadian Corps--Third Canadian Division:
Acheville-Mericourt-Avion sector. Under Canadian Corps--Fourth
Canadian Division: Gavrelle-Oppy sector.
On April 7, 1918, the First Canadian Division relieved the Fourth
British Division astride the Scarpe and came under orders of Canadian
Corps; the army boundaries being altered so as to include the sector
taken over by the First Canadian Division in the First Army front.
In the meantime, on the night of March 28th-29th, 1918, owing to
operations astride the river Scarpe, the front-line system had been
abandoned under orders of the Thirteenth Corps and the troops withdrawn
to the Blue line in front of the Bailleul-Willer-val-Chaudiere-Hirondelle
line, as far north as the Mericourt sector.
This Blue line was originally sited and constructed as an intermediate
position, and consisted in most parts of a single trench none too
plentifully supplied with dugouts. This meant that until a support
line was dug and made continuous the troops had to be kept in strength
in the front line, subject to heavy casualties from hostile shelling
and to probable annihilation in case of an organized attack.
Any advance beyond the Blue line on the Fourth Canadian Division front
would have brought the Germans within assaulting distance of the
weakest part of the Vimy Ridge, and the severity of the shelling
seemed to indicate that a renewal of their attacks was probable.
Every effort was made to give more depth to the new front-line system
by pushing forward a line of outposts and by digging a continuous
support line, as well as by constructing reserve lines at certain
points of greater tactical importance. Switch lines facing south were
also sited and dug or improved.
To increase the depth of the defenses, machine-gun detachments were
extemporized by borrowing men from the machine-gun battalions, who had
then completed their organization on an eight-battery basis. Some
fifty extra machine guns were secured from ordnance and other sources,
and also a number of extra Lewis guns.
Personnel from the Canadian Light Horse and the Canadian Corps Cyclist
Battalion were organized in Lewis and Hotchkiss gun detachments and
sent forward to man the defenses in Vimy and Willerval localities,
under orders of the Third and Fourth Canadian Divisions.
The machine-gun companies of the Fifth Canadian Division had arrived
in France on March 25, 1918, and in view of the extreme urgency of the
situation the personnel and armament had been moved by lorries, sent
specially by Canadian Corps, from Le Havre to Verdrel, where they were
in corps reserve.
Their horse transport having now arrived, these machine-gun companies
(Seventeenth, Eighteenth, and Nineteenth) were moved to the Vimy Ridge
and allotted definite positions of defense on March 30, 1918.
The front held by the Canadian Corps on April 8, 1918, was
approximately 16,000 yards in length. It will be remembered that the
Second Canadian Division under the Sixth Corps (Third Army) was
holding 6,000 yards of front, making a total of 22,000 yards of front
held by Canadian troops.
On April 9, 1918, the Germans attacked on the Lys front between La
Bassee and Armentieres. Making rapid progress, they crossed the Lys
River on the 10th, and on the following days advanced west of
Merville-Bailleul. They were well held at Givenchy by the Fifty-fifth
Division and their attack made no progress southward.
The Canadian Corps was not involved in this fighting, but it now found
itself in a deep salient, following with anxiety the development of
the Battle of the Lys.
The Battle of the Lys added a new burden to the already sorely tried
British Army, and it was imperative that troops should at once be made
available to stop the German advance.
On the 10th, the Canadian front was extended by taking over from
the First Corps the line held by the Forty-sixth Division
(Lens-St.-Emile-Hill 70 sector). This relief was commenced on April
11, 1918, and completed on the night of the 12th-13th by the Third
Canadian Division; concurrently with it, the inter-divisional
boundaries were readjusted and the artillery redistributed to meet
as well as possible the new conditions.
The front held by the three divisions then in the Canadian Corps had a
length of approximately 29,000 yards, and of necessity the line was
held very thinly and without much depth.
To deceive the enemy regarding their dispositions and intentions, the
Canadians adopted a very aggressive attitude. The artillery constantly
harassed the enemy's forward and rear areas and the infantry
penetrated his line at many points with strong fighting patrols and
bold raiding parties. Gas was also projected on numerous occasions.
This activity on the immediate flank of the Lys salient greatly
perturbed the enemy, who gave many indications of nervous uncertainty.
The situation was critical, and extensive steps were taken at once to
increase the ability of the Canadian Corps to withstand hostile
attacks.
The success of the German offensive emphasized the need of greater
depth for defensive dispositions, which depend very largely on the
stopping power of the machine gun. Unfortunately the number of machine
guns with a division was inadequate to give the required depth of
defense on a front exceeding 4,000 yards in length. Each Canadian
division was now holding a front approximately 10,000 yards in length,
and the extemporized machine-gun detachments formed previously, added
to the machine-gun companies of the Fifth Canadian Division, were far
from sufficient for the task.
General Sir Currie therefore decided to add a third company of four
batteries to each battalion of the Canadian Machine-Gun Corps, thus
bringing up to ninety-six the number of machine guns in each Canadian
division. This entailed an increase in personnel of approximately 50
per cent of the strength of each machine-gun battalion.
These companies were formed provisionally on April 12, 1918, by
withdrawing fifty men from each infantry battalion. Of these men a
portion was sent to the Machine-Gun Battalion to be combined with the
trained personnel, so that each machine-gun crew would include at
least four trained gunners. The remainder of the infantry personnel
withdrawn as above stated was sent to a special machine-gun depot
formed for the purpose, and there underwent an abridged but intensive
course of training. Thus an immediate supply of reenforcements was
insured. Twenty-three-ton lorries had been borrowed from General
Headquarters to supply a modicum of transport to the new units, and on
April 13, 1918, some of the new machine-gun batteries were already in
the line at critical points.
Sufficient troops were not now available to garrison the local
defenses of Vimy Ridge, or to reenforce parts of the front if the
enemy was successful in effecting a deep penetration.
Two special brigades were therefore organized:
The Hughes Brigade--Commanded by Lieutenant Colonel H. T. Hughes.
Approximate strength, officers, 184; other ranks, 4,050.
McPhail's Brigade--Commanded by Lieutenant Colonel A. McPhail.
Approximate strength, officers, 148; other ranks, 4,628.
Two companies of the Eleventh Tank Battalion (twenty-four tanks) were
placed at the disposal of the Canadian Corps on April 13, 1918. These
tanks had officers, drivers, and armament, but no other personnel. A
sufficient number of trained Lewis gunners were found from the First,
Third, and Fourth Canadian Divisional wings and the Canadian Field
Artillery supplied the required number of gunners.
The tanks were then distributed at the critical points in the corps
area, namely: Behind the St. Catherine switch at intervals of about
300 yards, facing south--18 tanks. In the gap between the Souchez
River and Bois-en-Hache, facing east--three tanks. On the ridge line
behind Angres, facing east--three tanks.
It was intended that these tanks should form points of resistance to
check any forward flow of hostile forces and so give time to the
Canadian infantry to re-form in case they should be forced back. In
any event the tanks were to remain in action for twelve hours after
coming in contact with the enemy and thus gain the time so essential
in a crisis.
The First Canadian Motor Machine-Gun Brigade, now returned from the
Amiens Battle, was held as a mobile reserve at one hour's notice.
Bridges, railways, roads, and pumping stations were prepared for
demolition, to be blown up as a last resort.
Extended almost to the breaking point, in danger of being annihilated
by overwhelming attacks, the corps confidently awaited the assault.
All ranks of the corps were unanimous in their ardent resolve to hold
to the last every inch of the ground intrusted to their keeping.
It was for them a matter of great pride that their front was
substantially the only part of the British line which had not budged,
and one and all felt that it could not budge so long as they were
alive.
Eventually, the First, Third, and Fourth Canadian Divisions were
relieved in their sectors by the Fifteenth, Fifty-first, Fifty-second,
Twentieth, and Twenty-fourth British Divisions. The relief started on
May 1 and was completed on May 7, 1918.
As the relief progressed, the Canadian Corps handed over command of
the Avion-Lens-St.-Emile-Hill 70 sectors to the Eighteenth Corps and
the balance of the front to the Seventeenth Corps.
The length of front held by the Canadian Corps at the various stages
of the German offensive has been given previously, but it is here
recalled that from April 10, 1918, until relieved the corps held a
line exceeding 29,000 yards in length; the Second Canadian Division,
then with the Sixth Corps, was holding 6,000 yards of front, making a
total length of 35,000 yards of front held by the four Canadian
divisions. The total length of the line held by the British army
between the Oise and the sea was approximately 100 miles, therefore
the Canadian troops were holding approximately one-fifth of the total
front.
Thus, although the Canadian Corps did not, during this period, have to
repulse any German attacks on its front, it nevertheless played a part
worthy of its strength during that period.
On completion of the relief on May 7, 1918, with the exception of the
Second Canadian Division, which was still in the line in the Third
Army area, the Canadian Corps was placed in the General Headquarters
reserve in the First Army area (Arras sector), and disposed as
follows:
Headquarters--Pernes, and later Bryas. First Canadian Division--Le
Cauroy area. Third Canadian Division--St. Hilaire area. Fourth
Canadian Division--Monchy-Breton area.
One infantry brigade and one machine-gun company from each Canadian
division were billeted well forward in support of the corps in the
line as follows:
(a) One infantry brigade, one machine-gun company--Anzin area.
Support, Seventeenth Corps.
(b) One infantry brigade, one machine-gun company--Chateau de la Haie
area. Support, Eighteenth Corps.
(c) One infantry brigade, one machine-gun company--Ham en Artois area.
Support, Eleventh Corps.
These brigades were kept under one hour's notice from 5.00 a. m. to
7.00 a. m. daily and under four hours' notice during the remainder of
the day. The remainder of the Canadian Corps was under four hours'
notice.
Reconnoissances of the front which the corps would have to support in
case of an attack were ordered and carried out by staff and regimental
officers. The brigades billeted forward were relieved from time to
time under divisional arrangements.
On May 23, 1918, the Seventy-fourth British Division, newly arrived in
France from Palestine, came under Canadian Corps for administration
and training. It was necessary to rearrange the areas among the
divisions in the corps to make room for the Seventy-fourth Division
and to equalize the training facilities. With the exception of these
moves, the disposition of the Canadian Corps remained substantially
the same until June 25, 1918.
On that date the Second Canadian Division, which had been in the line
since March 30, 1918, was relieved by the Third Canadian Division,
which came then under the Sixth Corps, Third Army area, with
headquarters at Basseux. Readjustments were also made in the locations
of all the Canadian troops then in reserve.
[Illustration: Canadian Official Photo.
At the left is Major General David Watson, who commanded the Fourth
Canadian Division from 1916 on; at the right is Major General Louis
James Lipsett, who commanded the Third Canadian Division from 1916 to
1918. He was killed in action.]
Though the principal reason for placing the Canadians into reserve, of
course, was to give them a much-needed and well-deserved rest, their
entire time was by no means devoted to this purpose. Throughout this
period there went forward a steady process of reorganization and
training. Reinforcements were received and gradually absorbed. The
most intensive kind of tactical and individual training was carried on
throughout May, June, and July, 1918. At the same time preparations
were being made to recapture Merville and part of the Lys salient,
operations which for purposes of maintaining secrecy were then known
as the "Delta attack."
One memorable event of this period was the celebration of Dominion
Day. Ever since the Canadians had arrived in France, July 1 had been
set aside for this purpose, but never before had the "sports" been as
brilliant as on July 1, 1918.
Finally, on July 6, 1918, the Canadian Corps was warned to be prepared
to relieve the Seventeenth Corps in the line. This operation was begun
on July 10 and completed on July 15, 1918, when Lieutenant General Sir
A. W. Currie assumed command of the Seventeenth Corps front
(Arras-Lens sector), disposing his forces as follows:
Headquarters Canadian Corps--Duisans (First Army area). Second
Canadian Division, in the line--Telegraph Hill section. First Canadian
Division, in the line--Feuchy-Fampoux section. Fourth Canadian
Division, in the line--Gavrelle-Oppy section. Under Sixth Corps--Third
Army area. Third Canadian Division, in the line--Neuville-Vitasse
section.
CHAPTER XVII
THE AMIENS BATTLE OF AUGUST, 1918
The relief of the Seventeenth Corps by the Canadian Corps on July 15,
1918, after the corps' long period of rest and training, with the
attendant movement and activity, made the enemy alert and anxious as
to the British intentions on this front. He was successful in securing
identifications at various points of the line, which he penetrated by
raiding.
As it was desired to keep him fully occupied on this front, the
artillery activity was increased and our infantry engaged in vigorous
patrolling and raiding.
By the latter part of July, 1918, the Allied High Command had decided
to enlarge the scope of the operations east of Amiens. Originally
conceived as of a purely local character, they were now intended to
reduce the entire salient of the Somme created by the successful
German offensive of March 21, 1918, and the days following.
During the last few days of July, 1918, and the first few days of
August, 1918, the Canadian Corps was relieved by the Seventeenth Corps
and was transferred from the First to the Fourth Army area. On July
30, 1918, Canadian Headquarters moved to Molliens Vidarne, in the
Amiens sector.
The attack against the Somme salient eventually was set for August 8,
1918.
The front of attack was to extend from Moreuil to Ville-sur-Ancre on a
front of approximately 20,000 yards. The dispositions of the troops
participating in the attack were as follows:
(a) On the right from Moreuil to Thennes (inclusive)--the First French
Army under order of commander in chief British army.
(b) In the center from Thennes (exclusive) to the Amiens-Chaulnes
Railway--the Canadian Corps.
(c) On the left from the Amiens-Chaulnes Railway to the Somme--the
Australian Corps.
(d) The left flank of the Australian Corps was covered by the Third
(British) Corps attacking in the direction of Merlancourt.
The object of the attack was to push forward in the direction of the
line Roye-Chaulnes with the least possible delay, thrusting the enemy
back in the general direction of Ham, and so facilitating the
operations of the French on the front between Montdidier and Noyon.
The battle front of the Canadian Corps extended from a point about 800
yards south of Hourges to the Amiens-Chaulnes Railway. It crossed the
river Luce about 800 yards northeast of Hourges, and remaining well
west of Hangard passed through the western portion of Hangard Wood.
The total length exceeded 8,500 yards in a straight line.
In addition to the four Canadian divisions, the following troops were
placed under Canadian Corps for the operation: Fifth Squadron. R. A.
F.; Fourth Tank Brigade; Third Cavalry Division.
A mobile force was organized consisting of the First and Second
Canadian Motor Machine-Gun Brigades, the Canadian Corps Cyclist
Battalion, and a section of 6-in. Newton Mortars mounted on motor
lorries. This force was named the Canadian Independent Force, placed
under the command of Brigadier General R. Brutinel, and given the task
of cooperating with the cavalry in the neighborhood of the Amiens-Roye
road, covering the right flank of the right division and maintaining
liaison with the French.
Two British divisions were held in army reserve, and were available in
the event of certain situations developing.
The total artillery amounted to seventeen brigades of field artillery
and nine brigades of heavy artillery, plus four additional batteries
of long-range guns.
At 10.00 a. m. on the morning of August 5, 1918, General Sir A. W.
Currie took over command of the battle front, then held by the Fourth
Australian Division. During the hours of darkness on the 4th, 5th,
6th, and 7th the attacking Canadian troops relieved the Australian
troops, with the exception of those holding the outpost line, who
remained in position until the night of August 7-8, 1918.
The dispositions of the Canadian Corps on the morning of the 8th at
zero hour were as follows: On the right, the Third Canadian Division,
in liaison with the French; in the center, the First Canadian
Division; on the left, the Second Canadian Division, in liaison with
the Australians; in reserve, behind the Third Canadian Division, the
Fourth Canadian Division.
Each of these divisions had their allotment of tanks. East of the Noye
River, the Third Cavalry Division. Behind Gentelle Wood, the Canadian
Independent Force.
At 4.20 a. m., August 8, 1918, the initial assault was delivered on
the entire army front of attack, and the First French Army opened
their bombardment.
The attack made satisfactory progress from the outset on the whole
front.
East of Hourges, opposite the Third Canadian Division, the high
ground which dominated the Canadian front and a portion of the French
front had been seized quickly by the Ninth Canadian Infantry Brigade
(Brigadier General D. M. Ormond), and the way was opened for the
Canadian Independent Force and the Fourth Canadian Division.
By the afternoon the Canadian Corps had gained all its objectives,
with the exception of a few hundred yards on the right in the vicinity
of Le Quesnel, where stiff resistance was offered by unexpected
reserves, but this was made good the following morning. The day's
operations in which the four Canadian divisions took part represented
a maximum penetration of the enemy's defenses of over eight miles, and
included the capture of the following villages: Hangard, Demuin,
Beaucourt, Aubercourt, Courcelles, Ignaucourt, Cayeux, Caix,
Marcelcave, Wiencourt, l'Equipee, and Guillaucourt. In addition to
these, the Canadian Independent Forces assisted the French in the
capture of Mezieres, which was holding up their advance.
On the following day, August 9, 1918, the advance was continued, with
the Third, First, and Second Canadian Divisions in the line, the
Fourth Canadian Division being held in corps reserve. Substantial
progress was made, and by evening the average depth of advance was
about four miles, with a maximum of six and one half miles at some
points. The following additional villages were captured: Le Quesnel,
Folies, Bouchoir, Beaufort, Warvillers, Rouvroy, Vrely, Meharicourt,
and Rosieres.
The infantry and tanks of the Third Canadian Division and the Canadian
Independent Force cooperated with the French in the capture of
Arvillers.
During the day the enemy's resistance stiffened considerably, and
whatever gains were made resulted from heavy infantry fighting against
fresh troops, with only a few tanks available for support.
The attack was continued on the morning of the 10th, with the Third
Canadian Division on the right and the Fourth Canadian Division on the
left, the First and Second Canadian Divisions being held in corps
reserve. After the Third Canadian Division had taken the village of
Le Quesnoy-en-Santerre, the Thirty-second Division, which had come
under the Canadian Corps on the night of the 9th-10th, and had been
ordered to relieve the Third Canadian Division, passed through it and
advanced the line somewhat farther through the old British trenches
west of Parvillers and Damery. The Fourth Canadian Division during the
day succeeded, after very hard fighting, in occupying Fouquescourt,
Maucourt, Chilly, and Hallu.
During the night 10th-11th a strong enemy counterattack developed
against a part of the front of the Fourth Canadian Division east of
Hallu. This counterattack was beaten off, but owing to general
conditions the line at that point was slightly withdrawn to the
railway embankment immediately to the west of Hallu. Subsequent upon
this slight withdrawal, and with a view to reducing the existing
salient forward of Chilly, the line was further withdrawn to the
eastern outskirts of that village.
On August 11, 1918, at 9.30 a. m., the Thirty-second Division launched
an attack against Damery, but was not successful. The Fourth Canadian
Division improved their line by advancing it locally to reduce the
Chilly salient, which was still very pronounced.
During the night of August 12, 1918, the Thirty-second Division and
Fourth Canadian Division were relieved by the Third and Second
Canadian Divisions respectively.
It now became increasingly apparent that strong enemy reserves had
been sent forward to stem the Canadian advance. Six fresh divisions
and a large number of light and heavy batteries had been brought in,
and were fighting hard in a strongly intrenched defensive position.
August 12, 13, 14, 1918, were characterized chiefly by patrol
encounters and local trench fighting. The Third Canadian Division
cleared the network of trenches between Fouquescourt and Parvillers,
and advanced the line as far as the northern and western edge of
Parvillers and Damery. These two villages were captured in the evening
of August 15, 1918, and were held in spite of heavy counterattacks.
Bois de Damery was also taken, and this enabled the French to capture
the important position known as Bois-en-Z.
On the nights of August 15, 16, and 17, 1918, the First Canadian
Division relieved the Third Canadian Division, the latter being
withdrawn to corps reserve.
Progress was made during August 16-17, 1918, the enemy being driven
out of Fransart by the Fourth Canadian Infantry Brigade (Brigadier
General R. Rennie) of the Second Canadian Division, and out of La
Chavatte by the First Canadian Division, the Canadian line on the
right being advanced in cooperation with the French.
The relief of the Second Canadian Division by the Fourth Canadian
Division was carried out on the nights of August 15-16 and 16-17,
1918, the former being withdrawn to corps reserve on the 17th.
August 18, 1918, was quiet along the front, but on the 19th the Fourth
Canadian Division carried out a minor operation near Chilly, which
greatly improved the line in that neighborhood. Four hostile
counterattacks to recover the newly won ground were beaten off during
the night.
In the meantime it had been decided to transfer the Canadian Corps
back to the First Army. On the 19th, the Second and Third Canadian
Divisions started their move to the First Army, and on the night of
the 19th-20th the relief of the First Canadian Division by the French
commenced. This relief was completed on the 22d, and the First
Canadian Division was placed in corps reserve.
On August 22, 1918, General Currie handed over command of the Canadian
Corps front, and of the First and Fourth Canadian Divisions, Second
Canadian Motor Machine-Gun Brigade, the Eighth Army Brigade, C. F. A.,
and the C. C. H. A., to the G. O. C. Australian Corps, and Canadian
Headquarters moved north to Hautecloque (Arras-Lens sector).
Between August 8 and 22, 1918, the Canadian Corps fought against
fifteen German divisions; of these, ten were directly engaged and
thoroughly defeated, prisoners being captured from almost every one
of their battalions; the five other divisions, fighting astride the
Canadian flanks, were only partially engaged.
In the same period the Canadian Corps captured 9,131 prisoners, 190
guns of all calibers, and more than 1,000 machine guns and trench
mortars.
The greatest depth penetrated approximated to fourteen miles, and an
area of over sixty-seven square miles containing twenty-seven towns
and villages had been liberated.
The casualties suffered by the Canadian Corps in the fourteen days'
heavy fighting amounted to--
Officers Other Ranks
Killed 126 1,688
Missing 9 436
Wounded 444 8,659
------ -------
Total 579 10,783
Considering the number of German divisions engaged, and the results
achieved, the casualties were very light.
CHAPTER XVIII
THE ATTACK AGAINST THE HINDENBURG LINE
Canadian Headquarters were moved from Hautecloque to Noyelle Vion on
August 23, 1918, and at noon General Currie assumed command of the
front then held by the Seventeenth (British) Corps, extending from
Neuville-Vitasse to Gavrelle in the Arras-Lens sector. The First and
Fourth Canadian Divisions returned to the corps from the Amiens front
on August 25 and 28, 1918, respectively. The corps thus was again with
the First Army.
The general military situation at this time on the Amiens-Arras front
is described by General Currie in his official report of these
operations as follows:
"In sympathy with the severe reverses suffered on the Marne, and
consequent upon the actions now fully developed in the Somme salient,
signs were not wanting that the enemy was preparing to evacuate the
salient of the Lys. This evacuation began under pressure of the First
Army on August 25, 1918.
"All these attacks and their results, direct or indirect, enabled the
Allies to recover the ground they had lost in the course of the German
offensive operations.
"The recapture of that ground was, however, of secondary importance as
compared to the moral results of these successive victories.
"The German armies had been impressed in the course of these
operations by the superiority of our generalship and of our
organization, and by the great determination of our troops and
subordinate commanders.
"The Hindenburg system, however, was intact, and the enemy Higher
Command hoped and believed that behind this powerfully organized area
the German armies might be collected and reorganized.
"Fighting the most determined rear-guard action in the Somme salient,
they expected that our armies would be tired and depleted by the time
they reached the forward area of the Hindenburg system.
"The Battle of Cambrai, now about to be begun, shattered their hopes.
By breaking through the Drocourt-Queant line, itself but a part of the
Hindenburg system, the Canadian Corps carried the operations forward
to ground that had been in the hands of the Germans since 1914.
"This advance constituted a direct threat on the rear of the German
armies north and south of Cambrai.
"Dominated at all times, paralyzed by the swift and bold strokes on
vital points of their line and by the relentless pressure applied
everywhere, the German Higher Command was unable to take adequate
steps to localize and stop our advance. After the Drocourt-Queant line
was broken, the retreat of the enemy became more accelerated, and our
attacks met everywhere with less organized and determined resistance.
"The moral effect of the most bitter and relentless fighting which led
to the capture of Cambrai was tremendous. The Germans had at last
learned and understood that they were beaten."
The Canadian Corps, on the right of the First Army, was to attack
eastward astride the Arras-Cambrai road, and by forcing its way
through the Drocourt-Queant line south of the Scarpe to break the
hinge of the Hindenburg system and prevent the possibility of the
enemy rallying behind this powerfully organized defended area.
The ground to be attacked lent itself peculiarly to defense, being
composed of a succession of ridges, rivers, and canals, which formed
natural lines of defense of very great strength. These natural
positions, often mutually supporting, had been abundantly fortified.
Their organization was the last work in military engineering, and
represented years of intensive and systematic labor. Barbed-wire
entanglements were formidable, machine-gun positions innumerable, and
large tunnels had been provided for the protection of the garrison.
The four main system of defense consisted of the following lines: The
old German front system east of Monchy-le-Preux, the Fresnes-Rouvroy
line, the Drocourt-Queant line, and the Canal du Nord line. These,
with their subsidiary switches and strong points, as well as the less
organized, but by no means weak intermediate lines of trenches, made
the series of positions to be attacked without doubt one of the
strongest defensively on the western front.
Broad glacis, studded with machine-gun nests, defended the immediate
approaches to these lines, and this necessitated in each case heavy
fighting to gain a suitable jumping-off line before assaulting the
main position.
In addition to these systems, and as a preliminary to the attack on
the old German system east of Monchy-le-Preux, it was necessary to
capture the very well organized British defenses which had been lost
in the fighting of March, 1918.
These defenses were intact to a depth of about 5,500 yards, and were
dominated by the heights of Monchy-le-Preux, from which the Germans
were enjoying superior observation.
Throughout these operations there could not be any element of
surprise, other than that afforded by the selection of the actual hour
of the assaults. The positions to be attacked formed the pivot of the
movements of the German army to the south, and the security of the
armies to the north depended also on these positions being retained.
There was consequently little doubt that the enemy was alert, and had
made every disposition to repulse the expected attacks. Therefore, the
plans necessitated provision for very hard and continuous fighting,
the main stress being laid on the continuity of the operations.
On August 26, 1918, at 3.00 a. m., the attack was launched under the
usual artillery and machine-gun barrages. It made good progress, the
village of Monchy-le-Preux being entered early in the day, after a
very brilliant encircling attack carried out by the Eighth Infantry
Brigade (Brigadier General D. C. Draper). The trenches immediately to
the east of Monchy-le-Preux were found to be heavily held, and were
not cleared until about 11 a. m. by the Seventh Canadian Infantry
Brigade (Brigadier General H. Dyer).
Guemappe was captured by 4 p. m. and Wancourt Tower and the top of
Heninel Ridge were in Canadian hands at 10.40 p. m. The defenders of
the latter feature fought hard but eventually succumbed to a
determined attack delivered by the Sixth Canadian Infantry Brigade
(Brigadier General A. H. Bell), under cover of an extemporized barrage
fired by the Second Canadian Divisional Artillery (Brigadier General
H. A. Panet). During the night this brigade captured, in addition,
Egret Trench, thus securing a good jumping-off place for the
operations of the following day.
The attack was renewed at 4.55 a. m. on August 27, 1918, by the Second
and Third Canadian Divisions, in the face of increased opposition,
under a uniformly good initial barrage.
The Second Canadian Division pushed doggedly forward through the old
German trench system, where very stiff hand-to-hand fighting took
place, and crossed the Sensee River, after capturing the villages of
Cherisy and Vis-en-Artois.
The Third Canadian Division encountered very heavy opposition, but
succeeded in capturing Bois-du-Vert, Bois-du-Sart, and reaching the
western outskirts of Haucourt, Remy, Boiry-Notre-Dame, and Pelves.
The enemy throughout the day pushed a large number of reenforcements
forward, bringing up machine-gun units in motor lorries in the face of
our accurate field and heavy artillery fire. Hostile field batteries
in the open, firing over open sights, showed remarkable tenacity,
several remaining in action until the personnel had been destroyed by
our machine-gun fire.
At 9.00 a. m. on August 28, 1918, the Third Canadian Division resumed
the attack, followed at 12.30 by the Second Canadian Division. The
objective for the day was the capture of the Fresnes-Rouvroy line, the
possession of which was vital to the success of further operations.
On the left, the Third Canadian Division had pushed forward, captured
the Fresnes-Rouvroy line from the Sensee River to north of
Boiry-Notre-Dame, and had secured that village, Jigsaw Wood, and
entered Pelves. They had, however, been unable to clear the village of
Haucourt.
On the front of the Second Canadian Division the fighting was most
severe. The wire in front of the Fresnes-Rouvroy line was found to be
almost intact, and although at some points the Fifth Canadian Infantry
Brigade (Brigadier General T. L. Tremblay) had succeeded in
penetrating the line, the first objective could not be secured, except
one short length on the extreme right. Subjected to heavy machine-gun
fire from both flanks as well as frontally, the attacking troops had
suffered heavy casualties, which they had borne with the utmost
fortitude.
At nightfall the general line of the Second Canadian Division was
little in advance of the line held the night before, although a few
small parties of stubborn men were still as far forward as the wire of
the Fresnes-Rouvroy line.
Enemy reenforcements were seen dribbling forward all day long.
The Second and Third Canadian Divisions were now exhausted, and during
the night of August 28-29, 1918, they were relieved by the First
Canadian Division on the right, the Fourth (British) Division on the
left, and Brutinel's Brigade (formerly the Canadian Independent Force)
on the extreme left flank.
The heavy artillery from now on concentrated on the cutting of the
broad belts of wire in front of the Drocourt-Queant line, and the
engineers prepared the bridging material required for the crossings of
the Sensee River and the Canal du Nord.
During the day (August 29, 1918) the Canadian line had been
considerably improved by minor operations.
On August 30, 1918, the First Canadian Division attacked the
Vis-en-Artois Switch, Upton Wood, and the Fresnes-Rouvroy line south
of the Vis-en-Artois Switch. The attack, a daring maneuver, organized
and carried out by the First Canadian Infantry Brigade (Brigadier
General W. A. Griesbach), under cover of very ingenious barrages
arranged by the C. R. A., First Canadian Division (Brigadier General
H. C. Thacker), was eminently successful, all objectives being
captured and the entire garrison either killed or taken prisoner.
Heavy counterattacks by fresh troops were repulsed during the
afternoon and following night.
On August 31, 1918, the remainder of the Fresnes-Rouvroy line south of
the Arras-Cambrai road, including Ocean Work, was captured by the
Second Canadian Infantry Brigade (Brigadier General F. O. W. Loomis).
In the meantime, the Fourth (British) Division had doggedly pushed
ahead, crossing the valley of the Sensee River and capturing the
villages of Haucourt, Remy, and Eterpigny. This advance was over very
difficult, thickly wooded country, and the fighting was very heavy,
particularly in the vicinity of St.-Servin's Farm, which, after
changing hands several times, remained in possession of the enemy
until September 2, 1918.
On the night of August 31-September 1 the Fourth Canadian Division
came into the line on a one-brigade front between the First Canadian
Division and Fourth (British) Division.
The important strong point known as the Crow's Nest was captured by
the Third Canadian Infantry Brigade on September 1, 1918.
During the afternoon and evening of September 1, 1918, the enemy
delivered violent counterattacks, directed against the junction of the
First and Fourth Canadian Divisions. Two fresh divisions and two
divisions already in the line were identified in the course of this
heavy fighting. The Canadian troops were forced back slightly twice,
but the ground was each time regained and finally held. The
hand-to-hand fighting for the possession of the crest of the spur at
this point really continued until zero hour the next day, the troops
attacking the Drocourt-Queant line, as they moved forward, taking over
the fight from the troops then holding the line.
At 5.00 a. m. September 2, 1918, the major operation against the
Drocourt-Queant line was launched. Preceded by a dense barrage, and
assisted by tanks, the infantry pushed forward rapidly, and the
Drocourt-Queant line (the first objective) and its support line (the
second objective), including the village of Dury, were captured
according to program. With the capture of the second objective the
field artillery barrage was shot out, and the attack farther east had
to be carried forward without its assistance. The enemy's resistance,
free of the demoralizing effect of the barrage, stiffened
considerably, the open country being swept continually by intense
machine-gun fire. In addition, the tanks soon became casualties from
enemy guns firing point-blank, and the advance on the left and center
was held up.
Brutinel's Brigade, reenforced by a regiment of cavalry (Tenth Royal
Hussars) and armored cars, endeavored to pass through to capture the
Marquion Bridge on the Canal du Nord. Wire, trenches, and sunken
roads, however, confined the movements of the force to the
Arras-Cambrai road; and this was rendered impassable by enemy
machine-gun fire and by batteries firing over open sights.
On the right, however, the First Canadian Division pushed forward
despite very heavy machine-gun and direct artillery fire, and captured
the villages of Cagnicourt and Villers-lez-Cagnicourt, the Bois de
Bouche and Bois de Loison to the east of Cagnicourt.
Further progress made by the First Canadian Division in the afternoon
resulted in the capture of the heavily wired Buissy Switch line as far
south as the outskirts of Buissy; this largely outflanked the enemy
still holding out in front of the Fourth Canadian Division, and
compelled their retirement during the night behind the Canal du Nord.
By now the number of unwounded prisoners captured exceeded 5,000, and
Canadian infantry had penetrated the enemy's defenses to a depth
exceeding 6,000 yards.
In the night of September 3-4, 1918, the Second and Third Canadian
Divisions relieved the First and Fourth Canadian Divisions
respectively, and the Fourth (British) Division was relieved by the
First (British) Division, which had come under the Canadian Corps on
September 1, 1918, and had been concentrated after that date in the
Monchy-le-Preux, Vis-en-Artois, Guemappe area.
The next objective on the Canadian front was now the Canal du Nord.
This position, however, was so strongly held and the natural
difficulties of the terrain involved were so great that it was decided
to make further preparations before attempting this operation which,
from its very nature, would have to form part of a larger scheme.
The Canadians now held positions which were defensively very strong.
The line, therefore, was held very thinly in order to gain an
opportunity to rest and refit the divisions. Until September 27, 1918,
no changes developed on the Canadian front. Night patrolling and
sniping, of course, were kept up. There was also continuous night
firing by artillery and machine guns, while the heavy artillery
(Brigadier General R. H. Massie) carried out daily wire cutting,
counterbattery shoots, and gas concentrations.
CHAPTER XIX
CAPTURE OF BOURLON WOOD AND CAMBRAI
The share of the Canadian Corps in the operations in the direction of
Cambrai, toward the preparations of which the best part of September,
1918, was devoted, was at first to be the crossing of the Canal du
Nord and the capture of Bourlon Wood and of the high ground to the
northeast of it. Later during the month the task of the corps was
enlarged to include the capture of the bridges over the
Canal-de-l'Escaut, north of Cambrai, and of the high ground
overlooking the Sensee Valley. The strength of the corps was increased
by attaching to it the Eleventh Division and the Seventh Tank
Battalion.
At 5.20 a. m., September 27, 1918, the attack was successfully
launched, and in spite of all obstacles went well from the first.
The barrage was uniformly good, and the Third and Fourth Canadian
Divisional Artilleries, commanded respectively by Brigadier General J.
S. Stewart and Brigadier General W. B. M. King, were successful in
advancing into captured ground, and continued the barrage as planned.
Early in the afternoon the first phase of the attack was substantially
over, and the readjustments of the fronts preparatory to the second
phase were under way.
On the extreme right, however, the Seventeenth Corps had failed to
keep pace with the Canadian advance, and the latter's right flank,
submitted to severe enfilade machine-gun fire from the vicinity of
Anneux, had to be refused for a considerable distance to retain touch
with the left of the Seventeenth Corps; therefore the encircling
movement which was to have given the Canadians Bourlon Wood could not
be developed.
Fully alive to the gravity of the situation which would be created on
the flank of the Third Army by the failure to capture and hold Bourlon
Wood, the Fourth Canadian Division attacked from the north side of the
wood and captured all the high ground, pushing patrols as far as
Fontaine-Notre-Dame. Bourlon Wood, which is 110 meters high, dominates
the ground as far south as Flequieres and Havrincourt; its loss after
very heavy fighting in November, 1917, during the first battle of
Cambrai, caused eventually the withdrawal of the Third Army from a
large portion of the ground they had won by their surprise attack.
A severe counterattack, launched from the direction of Raillencourt
against the left of the Fourth Canadian Division, was repulsed in the
afternoon with heavy losses to the enemy.
The First Canadian Division and the Eleventh (British) Division made
substantial gains, the former capturing Haynecourt and crossing the
Douai-Cambrai road, and the latter pushing on and taking Epinoy and
Oisy-le-Verger by evening.
The attack was continued on September 28, 1918. The Third Canadian
Division captured Fontaine-Notre-Dame (one of the Seventeenth Corps'
objectives) and, penetrating the Marcoing line, reached the western
outskirts of St.-Olle. The Fourth Canadian Division captured
Raillencourt and Sailly, and the Eleventh (British) Division
established posts in Aubencheul-au-Bac and occupied the
Bois-de-Quesnoy. The First Canadian Division, in view of their advance
of the previous day which had produced a considerable salient, did not
push forward.
Heavy fighting characterized September 29, 1918. The Third Canadian
Division, the Fourth Canadian Division, and the First Canadian
Division all made progress in the face of severe opposition. The Third
Canadian Division pushed the line forward to the junction of the Arras
and Bapaume road, the western outskirts of Neuville St.-Remy and the
Douai-Cambrai road. They also cleared the Marquion line from the
Bapaume-Cambrai road southward toward the Canal-de-l'Escaut. The
Fourth Canadian Division captured Sancourt, crossed the Douai-Cambrai
railway and entered Blecourt, but later withdrew to the line of the
railway in the face of a heavy counterattack.
The operation of September 30, 1918, was planned in two phases. In the
first, the Third and Fourth Canadian Divisions were to push forward
across the high ground between the Canal-de-l'Escaut and the
Blecourt-Bantigny Ravine, when Brutinel's Brigade was to pass through
them and secure bridgeheads at Ramillies and Eswars. The second phase,
to take place on the success of the first, provided for the seizing of
the high ground overlooking the Sensee River by the First Canadian
Division and the Eleventh (British) Division. The attack was commenced
well, and the villages of Tilloy and Blecourt were captured by the
Third and Fourth Canadian Divisions respectively. A heavy
counterattack, however, against the Fourth Canadian Division and the
left flank of the Third Canadian Division, assisted by exceptionally
severe enfilade fire from the high ground to the north of the
Blecourt-Bantigny Ravine, forced the line on the left back to the
eastern outskirts of Sancourt. The second phase of the attack was not
carried out, and the net gains for the day were the capture of Tilloy
and some progress made on the right of the Third Canadian Division
from Neuville St.-Remy south. Prisoners taken during the day testified
to the supreme importance, in the eyes of the enemy, of the positions
held by him and the necessity that they be held at all costs.
The tremendous exertions and considerable casualties consequent upon
the four days' almost continuous fighting had made heavy inroads on
the freshness and efficiency of all arms, and it was questionable
whether an immediate decision could be forced in the face of the heavy
concentration of troops which the successful and, from the enemy's
standpoint, dangerous advance had drawn. On the other hand, it was
known that the enemy had suffered severely, and it was quite possible
that matters had reached a stage where he no longer considered the
retention of this position worth the severe losses both in men and
morale consequent upon a continuance of the defense. It was therefore
decided that the assault would be continued on October 1, 1918, the
four divisions in line attacking simultaneously under a heavy barrage,
coordinated by the G. O. C, R. A. During the night the Twenty-second
Corps took over a portion of the front held by the Eleventh Division,
the Fifty-sixth Division becoming responsible for the defense of the
relieved front at 6.00 a. m., October 1, 1918.
The attack made excellent progress in the early stages, and the troops
reached the general line, Canal-de-l'Escaut (east of Neuville
St.-Remy), Morenchies Wood, Cuvillers, Bantigny (all inclusive).
The decision of the enemy to resist to the last quickly manifested
itself. About 10.00 a. m. heavy counterattacks developed up the
Bantigny Ravine from the direction of Paillencourt. These,
supplemented by enfilade fire from the high ground just south of
Abancourt, which still remained in the enemy's hands, due to a certain
extent to the inability of the Eleventh Division on the left to make
progress, were sufficient to press back the more advanced troops.
Pockets of the enemy in Blecourt and Bantigny continued to give
trouble, and the Canadian line was ultimately forced by greatly
superior numbers out of Cuvillers, Bantigny, and Blecourt.
To continue to throw tired troops against such opposition, without
giving them an opportunity to refit and recuperate, was obviously
inviting a serious failure, and the Canadian commander in chief
accordingly decided to break off the engagement. The five days'
fighting had yielded practical gains of a very valuable nature, as
well as 7,059 prisoners and 205 guns.
The Second Canadian Division had been in close support throughout the
day, and during the night of October 1-2, 1918, relieved the Fourth
Canadian Division and parts of the Third and First Canadian Divisions
in the line from the railway south of Tilloy to Blecourt inclusive. On
relief, the Fourth Canadian Division came into corps reserve in
bivouacs in the Inchy-Queant area.
The relief considerably thinned out the infantry and in anticipation
of possible counterattacks a large number of machine-gun batteries
were placed in the line.
October 2, 1918, passed without any substantial change in the
situation. The enemy's artillery was very active throughout the day,
and at 6.15 p. m. he delivered a determined counterattack, with a
force estimated at about a battalion strong, against the ridge
northeast of Tilloy, on the Second Canadian Division front. This
counterattack was repulsed with heavy loss to the enemy.
During the night of October 2-3, 1918, the Eleventh Division extended
its frontage to the right as far as Blecourt (inclusive), relieving
the remainder of the First Canadian Division, who came into corps
reserve west of the Canal on completion of the relief.
The dispositions of the Canadian Corps at noon, October 3, 1918, were
as follows:
In the line--the Third Canadian Division on the right on a one-brigade
front, from the Arras-Cambrai railway to the Cambrai-Douai railway
south of Tilloy; the Second Canadian Division in the center, on a
two-brigade front, extending to the northern outskirts of Blecourt,
and the Eleventh Division on the left continuing the line to a point
1,000 yards south of Aubencheul-au-Bac.
In corps reserve--the First and Fourth Canadian Divisions. The latter
was moved to billets in the Haute Avesnes-Arras area on the night of
October 7-8, 1918, to give more opportunity to rest and refit.
The period from October 3 to 8, 1918, passed without any material
changes on the corps front. An enemy counterattack was beaten off by
the Second Canadian Division, opposite Bantigny, on the morning of
October 4, 1918, and the Eleventh Division considerably improved the
line on the northern flank by successful minor operations on October 5
and 6, 1918.
Many patrol encounters took place, in which some prisoners were
captured, and our artillery and machine guns kept the enemy under
continual harassing fire day and night. In addition, our heavy
artillery carried out a daily program of gas concentrations and
counterbattery shoots.
Orders were received on October 3, 1918, for the relief of the corps
by the Twenty-second Corps. Concurrently with this relief, and as it
progressed, the Canadian Corps was to take over the front of the
Twenty-second Corps.
Plans for further operations having been formulated to take place on
the Third Army front, the Canadian Corps was ordered on October 5,
1918, to cooperate by forcing the crossings of the Canal-de-l'Escaut,
north of Cambrai, and the relief contemplated was, therefore,
postponed.
The Third Army had been successful in crossing the Canal-de-l'Escaut
south of Cambrai between Crevecoeur and Proville. The operation now
contemplated had for its object the capture of Cambrai by envelopment.
This was to be carried out in two phases.
In the first phase the Seventeenth Corps was to capture Awoignt by
attacking from the south, the Canadian Corps was to cooperate by an
artillery demonstration. In the second phase the Canadian Corps was to
cross the Canal-de-l'Escaut and, advancing rapidly, capture
Escaudoeuvres, joining hands with the Seventeenth Corps northeast of
Cambrai.
The positions occupied by the Third and Second Canadian Divisions were
not favorable for an attack by day; the Third Canadian Division was in
front of Cambrai, and house-to-house fighting was out of the question;
the Second Canadian Division was separated from the Canal by
glacislike slopes, devoid of cover, and on which the enemy had good
observation from the numerous houses on the east side of the Canal as
well as from the high ground east of Escaudoeuvres. In addition,
Morenchies, Pont d'Aire, Ramillies, and the villages to the north were
strongly held by the enemy.
In spite of the difficulties of a night operation it was decided that
the Second Canadian Division would attack by night, and attempt to
seize the bridges before they were blown up by the enemy.
The Third Canadian Division was to cover the right of the Second
Canadian Division by capturing the railway embankment, and entering
Cambrai as soon as possible to prevent any action of the enemy against
the right flank of the Second Canadian Division, which, under the best
circumstances, was bound to be in the air for some time after the
crossing of the Canal.
Brutinel's Brigade was to cross the Canal as soon as possible and
extend the gains of the Second Canadian Division by seizing the high
ground east of Thun St.-Martin. Ten brigades of field artillery were
available for the operation.
At 4.30 a. m., October 8, 1918, the Third Army attacked, and at the
same hour an artillery demonstration was carried out on the Canadian
Corps front.
The Seventeenth Corps on the right did not reach Awoignt, but in the
evening they were ordered to continue their advance on the morning
of October 9, 1918, to capture the town; concurrently with this
advance the Canadian Corps was to secure the crossings of the
Canal-de-l'Escaut.
In spite of the darkness of a rainy night the assembly was completed
and the attack was launched successfully at 1.30 a. m., October 9,
1918. Rapid progress was made, and at 2.25 a. m., the Second Canadian
Division had captured Ramillies and established posts on the Canal
there, and patrols were pushing out to the northeast. On the right the
infantry, assisted by a party of engineers, rushed the crossings at
Pont d'Aire, and, after sharp fighting, captured the bridge intact
with the exception of the western spillway, which had been partially
destroyed. Two cork bridges were thrown across, and by 3.35 a. m. the
infantry were well established on the eastern side of the Canal. The
Third Canadian Division had cleared the railway, and their patrols
were pushing into Cambrai, while the engineers were commencing work on
the bridges.
By 8.00 a. m. the Second Canadian Division had captured Escaudoeuvres,
and had established a line on the high ground immediately to the north
and east. Detachments of the Third Canadian Division had by this time
completely cleared Cambrai of the enemy, and troops of the Third Army
could be seen coming up toward it from the south.
Cambrai was to be deliberately set on fire by the enemy. Huge fires
were burning in the Square when Canadian patrols went through, and
many others broke out in all parts of the city. Piles of inflammable
material were found ready for the torch, but the enemy was unable to
carry out his intention owing to the Canadians' unexpected attack and
rapid progress. A party of one officer and a few men, which had been
left with instructions to set fire to Cambrai, was discovered and
dealt with before it could do any further damage. The fires were
successfully checked by a large detachment of Canadian engineers, who
entered the city with the patrols. A considerable number of road
mines, "booby traps," etc., were also located and removed.
An air reconnoissance at dawn indicated that the enemy had withdrawn
from the area between the Canal-de-l'Escaut and the Canal-de-la
Sensee, and that all bridges over the latter had been destroyed.
Brutinel's Brigade, passing through the infantry of the Second
Canadian Division, seized the high ground at Croix St.-Hubert and
pushed cavalry patrols into Thun Levecque.
The Second Canadian Division east of the Canal progressed toward the
north and occupied Thun Levecque, Thun St.-Martin, Blecourt,
Cuvillers, and Bantigny, and the Eleventh Division occupied Abancourt
and reached the outskirts of Paillencourt.
The Third Canadian Division was withdrawn at 7.10 p. m. when the
Twenty-fourth Division (Seventeenth Corps) passed through and joined
up with the Second Canadian Division, and Cambrai and the positions to
the east were taken over or occupied by the Seventeenth Corps.
The Third Canadian Division was moved on the following day to bivouacs
in the Inchy-Queant area to rest and refit after twelve days of
battle.
The attack was continued at 6.00 a. m., October 10, 1918, by the
Second Canadian and Eleventh (British) Divisions, and good progress
was made. The Second Canadian Division captured Naves, and by
nightfall reached a point one and a half miles northeast on the
Cambrai-Salzoir road. From there the line ran westward to the
Canal-de-l'Escaut, exclusive of Iwuy, where the Canadians had been
held up by machine-gun fire.
In this attack Brutinel's Brigade operated along the Cambrai-Salzoir
road, but finding the bridge over the Erclin River destroyed could not
get their cars farther forward. This bridge, although on the outpost
line under heavy fire, was immediately replaced by the engineers, a
covering party being supplied by Brutinel's Brigade. Machine-gun crews
from the cars went forward on foot, however, and materially assisted
the infantry advancing at this point, and the corps cavalry, by a
brilliant charge, helped in the capture of the ground east of the
Rieux-Iwuy road.
On the left the Eleventh Division cleared the enemy from the area
between the Canal-de-l'Escaut and the Sensee Canal, captured
Paillencourt and Estrun, and reached the outskirts of Hem-Lenglet,
which they occupied during the night.
The Forty-ninth and Fifty-first Divisions were released from army
reserve and transferred to the Canadian Corps on October 10, 1918.
During the night of October 10-11, 1918, the former believed that part
of the Second Canadian Division east of Iwuy, and the Fifty-first
(Highland) Division moved to the Escaudoeuvres area.
At 9.00 a. m., October 11, 1918, the Canadian Corps resumed the attack
with the Forty-ninth Division on the right and the Second Canadian
Division on the left. The enemy laid down a heavy artillery barrage
and both divisions encountered stiff opposition. After fierce
fighting, however, the attack made good progress, the Forty-ninth
Division gaining the high ground east of Iwuy, and the Second Canadian
Division capturing Iwuy and the high ground to the north.
About 10.30 a. m. the enemy delivered a heavy counterattack under an
artillery barrage and supported by seven tanks, from the direction of
Avesnes-le-Sec, against the Forty-ninth and Second Canadian Divisions.
The Canadian line was forced back slightly at first, but six of the
tanks were knocked out by the artillery, the assaulting infantry
dispersed by machine-gun and rifle fire, and the attack repulsed.
Meanwhile, on October 7 and 8, 1918, the First Canadian Division had
relieved the Fourth (British) Division (Twenty-second Corps) on the
frontage between Palluel and the Scarpe River, and passed under the
command of the G. O. C., Twenty-second Corps.
On October 11, 1918, General Sir A. W. Currie handed over command of
the corps front (less the Eleventh Divisional sector) to the G. O. C.,
Twenty-second Corps, and the Second Canadian and the Forty-ninth and
Fifty-first Divisions were transferred to the Twenty-second Corps. At
the same time he assumed command of the former Twenty-second Corps
front, and the Fifty-sixth and the First Canadian Divisions were
transferred in the line to the Canadian Corps. During the night of
October 11-12, 1918, the Second Canadian Division was relieved in the
line east of the Iwuy-Denain railway by the Fifty-first (Highland)
Division, and on completion of the relief, the Canadian commander in
chief assumed command of the remainder of the Second Canadian
Divisional front, extending from the Iwuy-Denain railway exclusive to
the Canal-de-l'Escaut.
The battle of Arras-Cambrai, so fruitful in results, was now closed.
Since August 26, 1918, the Canadian Corps had advanced twenty-three
miles, fighting for every foot of ground and overcoming bitter
resistance. In that period the Canadian Corps engaged and defeated
decisively thirty-one German divisions, reenforced by numerous
marksmen machine-gun companies. These divisions were met in strongly
fortified positions and under conditions most favorable to the
defense.
In the battle 18,585 prisoners were captured by the Canadians,
together with 371 guns, 1,923 machine guns and many trench mortars.
Over 116 square miles of French soil, containing fifty-four towns and
villages and including the city of Cambrai, were liberated.
The severity of the fighting and the heroism of the Canadian troops
may be gathered from the casualties suffered between August 22 and
October 11, 1918, and which are as follows:
Officers Other Ranks
Killed 296 4,071
Missing 18 1,912
Wounded 1,230 23,279
------ -------
Total 1,544 29,262
CHAPTER XX
CAPTURE OF VALENCIENNES AND MONS
The new front of the Canadian Corps on October 11, 1918, extended from
Iwuy-Denain railway, north of Iwuy, to the Canal-de-l'Escaut at
Estrun, thence following the southern bank of the Canal-de-la-Sensee
to Palluel, thence crossing the Sensee River at Hamel to the Scarpe
River east of Vitry. The front was held by the Second Canadian
Division from the right to the Canal-de-l'Escaut; the Eleventh
Division from Estrun (inclusive) to Aubencheul-au-Bac (exclusive); the
Fifty-sixth Division from Aubencheul-au-Bac (inclusive) to Palluel
(inclusive), and the First Canadian Division from Palluel (exclusive)
to the western boundary.
The fronts of the Eleventh and Fifty-sixth Divisions were then
stationary, but on the front of the First Canadian Division crossings
had been forced over the Sensee and Trinquis Rivers that morning, and
the enemy was retiring, closely followed by battle patrols of the
First Canadian Division.
The First Canadian Division had relieved the Fourth British Division
in the line along the south side of the valleys of the Sensee and
Trinquis Rivers, from Palluel exclusive to the Scarpe, during the
nights of October 5-6 and 6-7, 1918, coming under orders of the
Twenty-second Corps. The front had been a quiet one, the river valleys
having been flooded by the enemy to an average width of from 300 to
400 yards, and the bridges destroyed.
On the morning of October 8, 1918, the division carried out a "Chinese
attack" with a view to ascertaining the enemy's probable action if
attacked. Under cover of the barrage, patrols succeeded in enlarging
the small bridgehead across the river at Sailly-en-Ostrevent,
capturing twenty-four prisoners and two machine guns.
The enemy was expected to withdraw shortly, and this barrage was
repeated daily at dawn with the object of harassing the enemy and
testing his strength. At 3.00 a. m., October 10, 1918, battle patrols
were pushed out by the Third Canadian Infantry Brigade (Brigadier
General G. S. Tuxford) from the bridgehead at Sailly, and after
capturing the village they entered the Drocourt-Queant line to the
northeast. Thirty prisoners and six machine guns were sent back from
Sailly at daylight; a strong enemy counterattack (estimated at two
battalions) overran the force in the Drocourt-Queant line and
recaptured Sailly, driving the Canadian line back to the line
previously held.
On October 11, 1918, in conjunction with an attack on the left by the
Eighth Division, Canadian troops forced their way over the narrow
crossings of the Sensee and Trinquis Rivers in the face of
considerable machine-gun fire and pushed northward and eastward,
meeting only resistance from isolated machine-gun nests. The
performance of the first patrols in forcing their way across the
narrow causeways, all stoutly defended by machine guns, was a splendid
achievement.
By the night of October 11, 1918, the First Canadian Division, on the
left, had reached the line Hamel-Estrees-Noyelles (all inclusive), and
at dawn, October 12, 1918, pushed forward, clearing Arleux and
reaching the west bank of the Canal from Palluel to the Scarpe.
On October 12, 1918, the line remained stationary between the Canal du
Nord and the Canal-de-l'Escaut. East of the Canal-de-l'Escaut the
Second Canadian Division attacked at noon in conjunction with the
Twenty-second Corps on the right and captured Hordain. Attempts to
push forward to Basseville were, however, stopped by machine-gun fire.
The restricted area and the inundated conditions of the ground
prevented further progress on this front until the troops on the right
could get forward.
On the Canadian Corps' front, the divisions in the line were
confronted by the Canal-de-la-Sensee, and this in its flooded
condition was a serious obstacle, the few crossings possible being
narrow and easily defended. Orders were issued, however, that a policy
of aggressive patrolling should be adopted to detect at the earliest
possible moment any retirement, and that all preparations should be
made for an immediate and rapid pursuit.
The Canadian patrols were most daring during the next few days, but no
weak spot was to be found along the enemy front, all attempts at
crossing the Canal being stopped by heavy machine-gun and rifle fire.
During the night of October 12-13, 1918, the Second Canadian Division
extended its left to Aubencheul-au-Bac (exclusive), relieving the
Eleventh Division in the line, with the Fourth Canadian Infantry
Brigade (Brigadier General G. E. McCuaig) on the right, and the Sixth
Canadian Infantry Brigade (Brigadier General A. Ross) on the left. At
this stage the G. O. C. Fifty-sixth Division represented that his
troops were too weak and tired to carry out the vigorous pursuit
required in case of an enemy withdrawal. The Fourth Canadian Division
was, therefore, ordered to relieve the Fifty-sixth Division by the
morning of October 16, 1918, and in the meantime to place one brigade
at the disposal of the G. O. C. Fifty-sixth Division to be used in
following up the enemy. On October 13, 1918, the Tenth Canadian
Infantry Brigade, which had been resting in Arras, was accordingly
moved up to Marquion, and came into reserve under the Fifty-sixth
Division.
During the early morning of October 13, 1918, the Fifty-sixth Division
crossed the Canal and succeeded in establishing a bridgehead at
Aubigny-au-Bac, capturing the village with 201 prisoners. At 10.00 p.
m. the following night, however, an enemy counterattack in strength
caused their withdrawal from the village, but the bridgehead was
retained. The relief of the Fifty-sixth Division by the Fourth
Canadian Division was carried out on the nights of October 14-15 and
15-16, 1918, without incident, and the former moved back to rest in
the Arras-Haute Avesnes-Maroeuil area, coming into army reserve.
Patrols of the First Canadian Division succeeded in crossing the Canal
near Ferin, on its left brigade front, during the early morning of
October 14, 1918, but, meeting strong resistance, the parties
withdrew, taking with them some prisoners and machine guns.
Test barrages were carried out on the corps' front each morning to
ascertain the enemy's strength and attitude, and on October 17, 1918,
the enemy was found extremely quiet and did not retaliate to the
artillery fire on the front of the First Canadian Division. Patrols
were, therefore, sent out on that front and succeeded in crossing the
Canal in several places, meeting only slight opposition. Stronger
patrols followed and made good progress.
On the front of the Fourth Canadian Division, however, all attempts to
cross the Canal were still met by machine-gun fire. After the First
Canadian Division had secured crossings, a battalion of the Fourth
Canadian Division was sent up to take advantage of these crossings,
and, working down the east side of the Canal, cleared the enemy on
the Fourth Canadian Division front, and enabled the advance to
commence there.
Farther to the right, at Hem Lenglet, the Second Canadian Division
succeeded in crossing the Canal later in the day, and patrols were
pushed on in the direction of Wasnes-au-Bac. Only enemy rear guards
were encountered during the day, and the opposition was nowhere heavy,
although more organized and stubborn on the right opposite the Second
Canadian Division.
By 6.00 a. m., October 18, 1918, practically all of the infantry of
the First and Fourth Canadian Divisions and several battalions of the
Second Canadian Division were across the Canal, and the following
towns were liberated: Ferin, Courchelettes, Goeulzin, Le Racquet,
Villers-au-Tertre, Cantin, Roucourt, Brunemont, Aubigny-au-Bac,
Fechain, Fressain, Bugnicourt, and Hem Lenglet.
During that day two armored cars, one squadron of the Canadian Light
Horse, and one company of Canadian Corps Cyclists from Brutinel's
Brigade, were attached to each of the First and Fourth Canadian
Divisions to assist in the pursuit of the enemy. These troops rendered
valuable service to the divisions to which they were attached,
although the enemy's very complete road destruction prevented the
armored cars from operating to their full extent.
Throughout the advance now begun a great amount of work was thrown
upon the engineers, and their resources in man and material were taxed
to the utmost. The enemy's demolition had been very well planned and
thoroughly carried out, all bridges over the canals and streams being
destroyed, every crossroad and road junction rendered impassable by
the blowing up of large mines, and the railways--light and
standard--blown up at frequent intervals. The enemy also considerably
impeded the Canadians' progress by his clever manipulation of the
water levels in the canals which he controlled.
Footbridges were first thrown across the Canal, and these were quickly
followed by the heavier types of bridges to carry battalion transport
and artillery, and in addition eight heavy traffic bridges, ranging in
length from 90 to 160 feet, were at once put under way. On the front
of the First Canadian Division on the left the enemy drained the
Canal, and it was found impossible to complete and use the pontoon
bridges first commenced.
The engineers in the forward area concentrated their efforts on road
repair, craters being quickly filled in, for the most part with
material gathered on the spot and found in enemy dumps. In addition,
the whole areas were searched immediately after their occupation, many
"booby traps" and delayed action mines being discovered and rendered
harmless, and all water supply sources being tested.
It was clear from the wholesale destruction of roads and railways that
the reconstruction of communications would be very slow and that it
would be difficult to keep the troops supplied. Canadian railway
troops were brought up, and as soon as the enemy had been cleared away
from the Canal, work was commenced on the repairing of the
standard-gauge railway forward from Sauchy Lestree. The construction
of a railway bridge over the Canal at Aubencheul-au-Bac was
immediately commenced.
The enemy retirement now extended considerably north of the Canadian
front, and the Eighth Corps on the left began to move forward. During
October 18, 1918, rapid and fairly easy progress was made, and the
following towns and villages were liberated from the enemy: Dechy,
Sin-le-Noble, Guesnain, Montigny, Pecquencourt, Loffre, Lewarde,
Erchin, Masny, Ecaillon, Marquette, Wasnes-au-Bac and the western
portions of Auberchicourt and Monchecourt.
During the day the advance had carried the Canadians into a large
industrial area, and well-built towns became more frequent. It also
liberated the first of a host of civilians, 2,000 being found in
Pecquencourt and a few in Auberchicourt. These people had been left by
the retiring enemy without food, and faced, as the Canadians were, by
an ever-lengthening line of communication, and with only one bridge
yet available for anything but horse transport, the work of the supply
services was greatly increased. This additional burden was, however,
cheerfully accepted, and the liberated civilians, whose numbers
exceeded 70,000 before Valenciennes was reached, as well as the
rapidly advancing troops, were at no time without a regular supply of
food.
On October 19, 1918, the advance was continued on the whole corps'
front, nearly 40 towns and villages being wrested from the enemy,
including the large town of Denain.
The Twenty-second Corps, advancing on the right from the south, gained
touch with the Fourth Canadian Division just east of Denain on the
evening of October 19, 1918, pinching out the Second Canadian
Division, which was then concentrated in the Auberchicourt area, where
good billets were available.
In spite of bad weather and increased resistance more ground was
gained on the 20th, and the villages of Hasnon, Les Faux, Wallers, and
Haveluy, with a large population, were freed.
During the day resistance had stiffened all along the line. The ground
over which the Canadians were advancing was very flat, and there was
no tactical advantage to be gained by pushing forward, and a farther
advance would also increase the difficulties of supply. In addition,
on the left, the Eighth Corps had not been able to cope with the
supply question and had not advanced in conformity with the Canadian
progress. In view of these considerations, orders were issued that
divisions were to maintain touch with the enemy without becoming
involved in heavy fighting.
For a time on October 20, 1918, the Fourth Canadian Division was held
up just east of Denain by machine-gun and artillery fire, and it was
not until late in the afternoon that the troops could make progress
there.
Continuing the advance on October 21, 1918, a footing was gained in
the Foret-de-Vicoigne, and the following villages were captured:
Aremberg, Oisy, Herin, Rouvignes, Aubry, Petite Foret, Anzin, Prouvy,
Bellaing, and Wavrechain. As on the previous day, all these villages
contained civilians who subsequently suffered considerably from
deliberate hostile shelling.
The First Canadian Division had now been in the line for two weeks
without having had an opportunity to rest and refit since the
hard-fought battle of the Canal du Nord, and orders were issued for
its relief by the Third Canadian Division. At dawn on October 22,
1918, in order that touch with the enemy be maintained, the First
Canadian Division pushed forward. Following closely, the Third
Canadian Division passed through the First Canadian Division during
the forenoon, on the left brigade front, about 9.00 a. m. on the line
of the St.-Amand-Raismes road, and on the right about 12 noon on the
line of the St.-Amand-Raismes railway, the Foret-de-Vicoigne having
been cleared of the enemy. On relief the First Canadian Division came
into rest billets in the Somain-Pecquencourt-Masny area.
The Third and Fourth Canadian Divisions pushed on during October 22,
1918, and by nightfall Trith St.-Leger, La Vignoble, La Sentinelle,
Waast-le-Haut, Beauvrages, Bruay, and practically the whole of the
large forest of Raismes, were in their hands. On the left brigade
front of the Fourth Canadian Division the Canal-de-l'Escaut had been
reached in places. A very large area northeast of Valenciennes and a
smaller area to the southwest had been flooded, and to the west of the
city the Canal itself provided a serious obstacle. To the southwest,
beyond the flooded area, Mont Houy and the Famars Ridge made a natural
line of defense.
The divisions continued to push forward in the face of steadily
increasing opposition, and by October 25, 1918, had reached the Canal
and the western edge of the inundated area along the whole corps
front.
The Canadian troops had had a very arduous pursuit and the railhead
for supplies and ammunition was still very far to the rear. It was
therefore decided that they should make good the west bank of the
Canal and stand fast until the flanking corps had made progress.
Attempts to cross the Canal proved that the enemy was holding in
strength a naturally strong position, and it was ordered that no
crossing in force would be attempted without reference to corps
headquarters. The engineers established dumps of material well forward
on selected sites so that the bridges necessary to cross the Canal on
the resumption of the advance could be constructed without delay.
It had become apparent that, unless the enemy withdrew, Valenciennes
could only be taken from the south. The Twenty-second Corps, on the
right, had meanwhile succeeded in crossing the Ecaillon River after a
hard fight and captured the Famars Ridge. They had, however, been
unable to take Mont Houy, which commanded Valenciennes from the south.
On October 27, 1918, the First Army commander outlined the plans for
operations to be carried out in conjunction with attacks on a large
scale by the Third and Fourth Armies to the south, as follows:
The First Army was to capture Valenciennes; the operation to be
carried out in three phases, as follows:
(a) The capture of Mont Houy and Aulnoy--to be carried out by the
Twenty-second Corps on the morning of October 28, 1918.
(b) The capture of the high ground overlooking Valenciennes from the
south--to be carried out by the Canadian Corps on a subsequent date,
probably October 30, 1918.
(c) The capture of high ground east of Valenciennes--to be carried out
after (b) above, probably on November 1.
Valenciennes would thus be outflanked from the south. The Canadian
Corps would take over, probably on the night of October 28-29, 1918,
the left brigade frontage of the Twenty-second Corps (approximately
2,500 yards) in order to carry out phases (b) and (c) of this
operation. The above attacks were to be carried out simultaneously
with the attacks of the Third and Fourth Armies.
In accordance with the above, instructions were issued to the Third
Canadian Division to take over the frontage of the left brigade of the
Fourth Canadian Division. The Fourth Canadian Division was, in turn,
ordered to relieve the left brigade of the Twenty-second Corps
(Fifty-first Division), both side slips to take place on the night of
October 28-29, 1918, subsequent to the capture of Mont Houy by the
Twenty-second Corps.
[Illustration: At the left is Major General Sir Frederick Oscar Warren
Loomis, who commanded the Third Canadian Division in the latter half
of 1918; at the right is Brigadier General Raymond Brutinel, who
commanded the Canadian Motor Machine Gun Corps.]
The attack of the Fifty-first Division on Mont Houy on October 28,
1918, was not successful. In the first rush the troops succeeded in
gaining a foothold on the objective, but were subsequently driven out
by repeated counterattacks. In view of this, the relief of the left
brigade of that division by the Fourth Canadian Division was
postponed. During the night of October 28-29, 1918, however, the Third
Canadian Division relieved the left brigade of the Fourth Canadian
Division.
Orders were received that the Canadian Corps was to carry out all
three phases of the operations against Valenciennes in conjunction
with attacks of the Twenty-second Corps. Accordingly, the Fourth
Canadian Division was ordered to relieve the left brigade of the
Fifty-first Division during the night of October 29-30, 1918, on the
line then held, and to be prepared to carry out the attack on the
morning of November 1, 1918.
In conjunction with the attack the Third Canadian Division was ordered
to cross the Canal and the inundated area on its front, and establish
a bridgehead to enable the engineers to reconstruct the bridges
leading into the city.
In the short period available, elaborate preparations were made for
the support of the attack. The position was eminently suitable for the
use of enfilade as well as frontal fire, the general direction of the
attack on Mont Houy being parallel to our front, and full advantage of
this was taken in arranging the artillery and machine-gun barrages.
The application of heavy artillery fire was restricted because the
enemy had retained many civilians in Valenciennes and the adjoining
villages. Strict orders were issued that the city and villages were
not to be bombarded, with the exception of a row of houses on the
eastern side of the Canal which were occupied by a large number of
machine guns. To hinder the good observation which the enemy would
otherwise have been able to enjoy from the city and villages, very
elaborate arrangements were made to place heavy smoke screens along
certain areas.
Despite great difficulties of transport, the supplies of ammunition,
bridging material, etc., moved forward were sufficient, and before
dawn on November 1, 1918, all preparations were completed.
At 5.15 a. m., November 1, 1918, the attack was launched, and from the
first went entirely according to plan on the Canadian Corps front. The
enemy barrage dropped quickly and was very heavy, but shortly
afterward slackened down under the influence of efficient
counterbattery fire. In the meantime the attacking infantry got well
away, advancing under a most excellent barrage and reaching their
objective, the line of the Valenciennes-Maubeuge railway, on time
right behind the barrage.
The fighting during the advance was heavy, especially around the
houses along the Famars-Valenciennes road and in Aulnoy.
The thoroughness of the preparations made for this small but important
battle is better illustrated by the following striking figures:
Number of enemy dead buried, over 800
Prisoners captured, over 1,300
(Exceeding the number of assaulting troops.)
Canadian casualties (approximate), 80 killed and 300 wounded.
On the left, the left brigade of the Fourth Canadian Division and the
Third Canadian Division had, in the meantime, succeeded in crossing
the Canal. Bridgeheads were established north of the city, the station
and railway yards were seized, and the engineers commenced the
construction of bridges.
The enemy did not counterattack against the Canadian Corps during the
day, but continued to hold out strongly in the southern outskirts of
Valenciennes and Marly, and in the steel works to the southeast until
dark. Two counterattacks against the Twenty-second Corps front on the
right caused some anxiety, but that flank was strengthened and no
trouble developed.
During the night the Fourth Canadian Division took over an additional
brigade frontage from the Forty-ninth Division (Twenty-second Corps)
on the right preparatory to the capture of the high ground east of
Marly.
Patrols of the Fourth Canadian Division pushed forward during the
night and ascertained that the enemy was withdrawing. In the early
morning the Canadian troops had completely cleared Valenciennes and
Marly, and patrols had entered St.-Saulve.
The advance was continued in the face of stubborn resistance from
enemy rear guards throughout November 2, 1918, on the whole corps
front, and by nightfall had reached the line Marly-St.-Saulve-Bas
Amarais-Raucourt Chateau, all inclusive. On the front of the Third
Canadian Division the advance was particularly difficult, the country
being under water except where railway embankments, slag heaps, and
houses stood up out of the flood and afforded excellent cover for
enemy machine gunners and riflemen.
Some stiff fighting took place when the advance was continued on
November 3, 1918, but in spite of this good progress was made,
especially on the right on the front of the Eleventh Canadian Infantry
Brigade (Brigadier General V. W. Odlum), where the line was advanced
3,000 yards and the village of Estreux captured. Progress on the left
was necessarily slower owing to the flooded nature of the ground.
The front of the Third Canadian Division had now become very extended,
and on the night of November 3-4 a portion of it, from Odomez to
Fresnes--about a mile in extent--was handed over to the Fifty-second
Division of the Eighth Corps.
On November 4, 1918, the line was carried forward about two miles on
the front of the Fourth Canadian Division. The Third Canadian Division
was still forcing its way through marsh and water, and made good the
Vicq-Thiers railway. On the extreme left of the Third Canadian
Division a strong point east of the Canal-de-l'Escaut was captured and
the Escaupont-Quievrechain railway bridge was taken. The village of
Onnaing and the western part of Rombies fell into their hands during
the day.
During the early hours of November 5, 1918, the Third Canadian
Division entered the town of Vicq, following the capture of two points
of local tactical importance west of the town. A large portion of the
line of the Escaupont-Quievrechain railway was also made good, and the
northern part of Quarouble captured during the day.
The Fourth Canadian Division attacked on November 5, 1918, and
clearing Rombies and the southern part of Quarouble, crossed the river
Aunelle between Rombies and Marchipont, the enemy fighting very
stubbornly to prevent their crossing. By this advance the first troops
of the Canadian Corps crossed into Belgian territory, the Aunelle
River being the boundary at that point.
The advance was resumed on November 6, 1918, and important progress
was made. The villages of Marchipont, Baisieux, and the southern
portion of Quievrechain were taken by the Fourth Canadian Division
while the Third Canadian Division took the railway station and
glassworks at Quievrechain and the northern part of the village, and
also captured Crespin farther north.
The enemy's resistance was very stubborn. The Twenty-second Corps on
the right were forced to give up a portion of the ground gained and to
withdraw to the west bank of Honelle River at Angre, in the face of
severe counterattacks.
The Second Canadian Division relieved the Canadian Division during the
night of 6-7, and the latter was withdrawn to rest in the Anzin-Aubry
area, just west of Valenciennes.
On their right the Canadians were now getting into the heart of the
Belgian coal district--a thickly populated area--where the numerous
towns and villages, the coal mines, and the commanding slag heaps
complicated the task.
The Second and Third Canadian Divisions attacked on the morning of
November 7, 1918, and, although by this time the weather had broken
and the country was rapidly becoming thoroughly water-logged, good
progress was made during the day, the enemy showing increasing signs
of demoralization.
The Second Canadian Division, on the right, cleared the remainder of
Baisieux, captured the sugar refinery northeast of that town, the town
of Elouges, and the many small settlements that surrounded it. In
conjunction with the Third Canadian Division Quievrain was taken, and
an advance of about two and a half miles was made. On the left the
Third Canadian Division, in addition to cooperating with the Second
Canadian Division in the capture of Quievrain, pushed along the Mons
road for about 4,000 yards and took La Croix and Hensies, north of the
road.
When the advance was continued on November 8, 1918, the Third Canadian
Division pushed troops to the north, and by noon had secured the
villages of Thievencelle and St.-Aybert. Later in the day a footbridge
was constructed across the Conde-Mons Canal, and under cover of
darkness patrols crossed and a bridgehead was established.
Farther south the Third Canadian Division had surprised the enemy in
the village of Montreuil-sur-Haine and Thulin at an early hour, and
these towns were quickly captured. Pushing on from here the village of
Hamin was taken, and by nightfall the troops were on the western
outskirts of Boussu.
The Second Canadian Division met with strong opposition. Good progress
was, however, made, and by midnight the important village of Dour and
the smaller villages of Bois-de-Boussu, Petit Hornu, Bois-de-Epinois,
and a portion of the Bois-de-Leveque was cleared.
Resuming the advance on November 9, 1918, the Second Canadian Division
captured Warquignies, Champ-des-Sait, Petit Wasmes, Wasmes-Paturages,
La Bouverie, Lugies, Frameries, and Genly with little opposition. The
advance made by this division was over four miles through densely
populated areas, the twin towns of Wasmes-Paturages combined having a
population of about 30,000. By nightfall the Second Canadian Division
was clear of the main mining district.
The Third Canadian Division had on its left front crossed the river
Haine during the night, north of Montreuil-sur-Haine, and later
secured a further hold on the north bank of the Conde-Mons Canal near
Le Petit Crepin. During the afternoon, further troops were sent across
the Canal, and the villages of Petit Crepin, Ville Pommereuil,
Hautrage, and Terte were taken. Farther west the patrols which had
crossed the Canal on the previous day entered Pommereuil and
Bernissart.
The Third Canadian Division had also occupied Boussu, on its right,
before daylight on the 9th, and rapid progress eastward was made
during the day toward Mons, the villages of Cuesmes, Jemappes, Flenu,
Hornu, Wasmes, Quaregnon, Wasmuel, and St.-Ghislain all being
captured. The rapidity of this advance had evidently surprised and
disorganized the enemy, although some opposition was met.
By the morning of November 10, 1918, the Fifty-second Division (Eighth
Corps) had advanced and relieved that part of the Third Canadian
Division operating north of the left boundary of the Canadian Corps.
The Third Canadian Division's advance on November 10, 1918, brought
the Canadian troops to the southwestern outskirts of Mons, while the
Second Canadian Division had reached the Mons-Givry road, outflanking
the city from the south, but, owing to the large number of civilians
still in the city, it was not possible for us to bombard the town. To
the north of the Conde-Mons Canal, a further advance was made and the
village of Ghlin secured.
During the night of November 10-11, 1918, the divisions resumed their
advance, and immediately after dark the troops of the Seventh Canadian
Infantry Brigade (Brigadier General J. A. Clark) commenced to close
in. The villages of Nimy and Petit Nimy were quickly captured and an
entry into Mons by way of the railway station was effected before
midnight. By 6.00 a. m. on November 11, 1918, the stubborn machine-gun
resistance had been broken and the town cleared of the enemy.
The Second Canadian Division had, during the night, taken the
Bois-le-Haut, a wood crowning a large hill on the southeastern
outskirts of Mons, thus securing the right flank of the Third Canadian
Division. The capture of this high ground forced upon the enemy a
further retirement, and the Canadian troops, still pressing on,
reached and captured St.-Symphorien and Fbg. Barthelmy by 8.00 a. m.
In the meantime, word had been received through the First Army that
hostilities would cease at 11.00 a. m. on November 11, 1918, the
armistice having been signed in acceptance of the Allied terms.
To secure a satisfactory line for the defense of Mons, the Canadian
line was further advanced, and the Bois-d'Havre, Bois-du-Rapois and
the town and villages of Havre, Bon Vouloir, La Bruyere, Maisieres,
St.-Denis, and Obourg were captured before hostilities ceased.
Between October 11 and November 11, 1918, the Canadian Corps had
advanced to a total depth exceeding ninety-one thousand yards (91,000
yards) through a country in which the enemy had destroyed railways,
bridges, and roads, and flooded large areas to further impede our
progress.
To the normal difficulties of moving and supplying a large number of
men in a comparatively restricted area were added the necessity of
feeding several hundred thousand people, chiefly women and children,
left in a starving condition by the enemy. Several deaths by
starvation, or through suffering consequent to privation, were
experienced in villages or towns which, being kept under hostile shell
fire and defended by machine guns, could not be captured rapidly by
our troops.
The fighting was light up to the Canal-de-l'Escaut, but stiffened
perceptibly from there on until the capture of Mons, and added a great
deal to the physical exertion caused by such a long advance in adverse
weather. The following table shows the average daily advances made by
the Canadian Corps in that period:
Yards
From October 11 to October 12 4,000
" " 12 " 17 7,000
" " 17 " 18 5,000
" " 18 " 19 12,000
" " 19 " 20 2,500
" " 20 " 21 5,000
" " 21 " 22 6,000
" " 22 " 23 3,000
" " 23 " 24 1,000
" " 24 to November 1 3,500[9]
From November 1 " 2 3,000
" " 2 " 3 2,000
" " 3 " 4 3,000
" " 4 " 5 1,500
" " 5 " 6 4,000
" " 6 " 7 4,000
" " 7 " 8 3,500
" " 8 " 9 11,000
" " 9 " 10 1,500
" " 10 " 11 9,000
------
Total 91,500
Between August 8 and November 11, 1918, the following had been
captured:
Prisoners 31,537
Guns (heavy and field) 623
Machine guns 2,842
Trench mortars (heavy and light) 336
Over 500 square miles of territory and 228 cities, towns, and villages
had been liberated, including the cities of Cambrai, Denain,
Valenciennes, and Mons.
[Footnote 9: Held up in front of Valenciennes till after the
capture of Mont Houy.]
When it is recalled that since August 8, 1918, the Canadian Corps had
fought battles of the first magnitude, having a direct bearing on the
general situation, and contributing to an extent difficult to realize
to the defeat of the German armies in the field, this advance under
most difficult conditions constitutes a decisive test of their
superior energy and power of endurance.
It was befitting that the capture of Mons should close the fighting
records of the Canadian troops, in which every battle they fought is a
resplendent page of glory.
The Canadian Corps was deeply appreciative of the honor of having been
selected among the first for the task of establishing and occupying
the bridgeheads east of the Rhine.
A long march of 170 miles under difficult conditions was ahead of
them, but they ungrudgingly looked forward to what had always been
their ultimate objective--the occupation of German soil.
CANADA'S TOTAL CASUALTIES IN THE GREAT WAR
Officers Other Ranks Total
Killed in action and died of wounds 2,559 48,557 51,116
Accidentally killed 5 8 13
Died of disease 292 4,613 4,905
Wounded 5,349 143,510 148,859
Presumed dead 187 4,915 5,102
Missing -- 57 57
Deaths in Canada -- 2,633 2,633
----- ------- ------
8,392 204,293 212,685[10]
Total prisoners of war 236 3,493 3,729
Repatriated 204 3,086 3,290
C. E. F.--Siberian force--
Accidentally killed 4
Died of disease 13
Wounded 1
Enlistments up to November 15, 1918 595,441[11]
Sailings to England 418,052
Sailings to Siberia 4,214
-------
422,266[12]
[Footnote 10: Represents nearly 3 per cent of Canada's total
population of 8,000,000.]
[Footnote 11: Over 7 per cent of population.]
[Footnote 12: Five per cent of population.]
PART III--CANADA AT HOME
CHAPTER XXI
SHOULDER TO SHOULDER WITH THE EMPIRE
While the enlistment and equipment of the first contingent proceeded
apace, all political ranks united for the war. Militarists and
pacifists, fathoms apart in times of peace on the question of a
Dominion navy, joined hands. Party lines, as in Great Britain, were
instantly obliterated. Sir Wilfrid Laurier, former Prime Minister, and
leader of the opposition in the Canadian Parliament, who, at the
Imperial Conference of 1911, advocated the doctrine of colonial
neutrality, declaring that Canada would not necessarily consider
herself bound to take part in wars in which Great Britain might become
involved, immediately threw the weight of his influence behind the
Government. When the Dominion Parliament met August 19, 1914, to
indorse Great Britain's participation in the war, Sir Wilfrid, after
announcing that for the present all party lines had been abolished,
said:
"So long as there is danger at the front it is our duty, more pressing
than all other duties on this first day of debate, to let Great
Britain, to let all the friends and foes of Great Britain, know that
there is in Canada but one mind and one heart, and that all Canadians
stand behind the mother country, conscious and proud that she did not
engage in war from selfish motives or for aggrandizement, but to
maintain untarnished the honor of her name, to fulfill her obligations
to her allies, to maintain her treaty obligations, and to save
civilization from the unbridled lust of conquest and power."
Of the Canadian contingent he said it was the opinion of the British
Government that the assistance of Canadian troops, humble though it
might be, would be appreciated for their material and moral help, and
would show the world that Canada, daughter of England, intended to
stand by her in the conflict.
Canada's Governor General, the Duke of Connaught, had opened
Parliament wearing a general's field uniform in khaki, and reminded
the legislators that England was asking for their help. Sir Wilfrid
Laurier, in the speech he made, presented a motion proposing that the
Dominion be prepared to carry out the duke's suggestion. The motion's
seconder was the Premier, Sir Robert Borden, who said:
"We stand shoulder to shoulder with the mother country. With firm
hearts we abide the issue. The men who are going to the front from
Canada are going as freemen from a free country to serve this Dominion
and the Empire. We are giving our best to our country, and we are
proud to do it." The press of Canada ardently indorsed the decision.
The Canadian Parliament immediately voted a war credit of $50,000,000,
the minister of finance declaring that Canada was prepared to spend
her last drop of blood and her last dollar in the defense of the
country. This measure, the first contribution from Canada's war chest
on behalf of the Empire, signalized an outpouring of gifts in kind,
official or private, in rich profusion. From its storehouses the
Government presented Great Britain with 98,000 bags of flour; the
Provinces thereupon followed with individual gifts of supplies.
Ontario gave 250,000 bags of flour; Manitoba, 50,000 bags; Quebec,
4,000,000 pounds of cheese; New Brunswick, 100,000 bushels of
potatoes; Saskatchewan, 1,500 horses, valued at $250,000; Alberta,
500,000 bushels of oats; Prince Edward Island, 100,000 bushels of
oats; British Columbia, 25,000 cases of salmon; while Nova Scotia at
first offered 100,000 tons of coal, a cumbrous contribution, which was
later converted to its cash equivalent. These governmental offerings
evoked no less handsome responses to the call of the mother country
from many cities and towns, corporations, and individuals. Great
Britain's sinews of war were further reenforced by $100,000 from the
Bank of Montreal; $500,000 from Mr. J. K. L. Ross of Montreal; a
battery of machine guns from Mr. J. C. Eaton of Toronto; while Mr.
Hamilton Gault of Montreal equipped and raised at his own expense a
crack regiment composed entirely of men possessing war medals, and
known as the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, or more
properly as "Princess Pat's Pets." Having outfitted this force at a
cost of $1,500,000, Mr. Gault did not take command, but joined it as
one of its officers, while Mrs. Gault closed her home and left for the
front as a nurse. Corporations also contributed funds for the war, and
many employees gave a percentage of their salaries.
The women of Canada raised a fund of $285,960, one hundred thousand of
which was for military hospital purposes, and the remainder for a
naval hospital. The Canadian Red Cross sent a fully equipped field
hospital and $50,000 to the British Red Cross Society. The Dominion
Government provided $100,000 for a Canadian hospital in France.
Farmers in different districts gathered vast stocks of flour and
farming produce and sent them to England. The Canadians also raised
their own Patriotic Relief Fund, devoted to caring for dependents of
Canadians fighting at the front and providing a subsistence for their
future. Eighteen cities raised considerably over $5,000,000 for this
fund within ten weeks of the outbreak of the war. Montreal leading
with $2,000,000, and Toronto with nearly $1,000,000.
In the wake of this munificence came an increased depression. Before
the war a temporary check had come to a long and unexampled era of
prosperity in Canada. An industrial crisis had set in, and the war
brought it to an acute point. There had been an overstimulation of
industrial enterprises; land values had been artificially inflated in
the Northwest; and capital had been too easily raised. Capital now
became scarce; Canadian promotions were viewed with suspicion; and
some foreign investments were withdrawn. With the war many Canadians,
who were working and giving whole-heartedly for the Empire, saw their
enterprises facing ruin for want of capital they could not obtain.
The stock exchanges were closed. Shares in some of the soundest
industrial concerns were almost unsalable; others were offered for
little more than half their market price of a few months before.
Canadian Pacific shares, as an example, fell to $157-1/2; a little
over a year previous to the war they had reached $254. Government and
municipal undertakings found difficulty in obtaining funds to continue
public works, and in consequence had to discharge hundreds of men. A
number of establishments closed altogether; others continued on
curtailed time and staffs.
Montreal felt an immediate depressing tendency on the outbreak of the
war. In Toronto the financial stringency caused by the war brought a
more serious phase to the labor situation in that city than had ever
before been encountered. All lines of industry were affected, and
thousands of men and women paid off. The enlistment of several
thousands of Canadians did not appreciably relieve the congestion in
the labor market. The building trade was suddenly paralyzed owing to
the inability of contractors to obtain advances from banks and loan
companies. The same check to all manner of business enterprises and
construction work was felt in Port Arthur, Fort William, Sault Ste.
Marie, Winnipeg, Regina, Calgary, Edmonton, Prince Rupert, and
Victoria. In all these cities the numbers of unemployed grew to
extraordinary proportions. So, while military preparations were
proceeding without pause, the Dominion, Provincial, and municipal
authorities and business interests had to wrestle with the industrial
situation. In due time distress was relieved, new enterprises were
initiated, wholesale economies instituted, and vigorous efforts made
to restore financial stability.
Canada looked suspiciously at the migratory Germans within her gates
when the war broke out, but more assuringly at her settlers of German
descent, who were not only domiciled but rooted on her soil. Of these
Sir Wilfrid Laurier spoke thus in the Canadian House of Parliament:
"They have shown more than once their devotion to British
institutions, but they would not be men if they did not in their
hearts have a deep feeling for the land of their ancestry. Nobody
blames them for that. There is nothing, perhaps, so painful as a
situation in which the mind and heart are driven in opposite
directions. Let me tell my fellow countrymen of German origin that
Great Britain has no antagonism to the German people. We respect and
admire them, but in the struggle for constitutional liberty which has
been universal in Europe the German people have not made the same
advances as some other nations. I am sure they will agree with me that
if the institutions of the land of their ancestors were as free as
those of the land of their adoption, this cruel war would never have
taken place."
This sentiment brought a ready echo from Berlin, Ontario, which at
least showed that that German colony shared the common aspirations of
the Dominion. In a cablegram sent to Lord Kitchener the citizens of
this Ontario German settlement said:
"Berlin, Ontario, a city of 18,000, of which 12,000 are German or of
German descent, proposes to raise $75,000 or more for the National
(Canadian) Patriotic Fund. The German people want to see militarism in
Germany smashed for good, and the people set free to shape a greater
and better Germany."