Nicholson Map 13: The Canal du Nord and Cambrai 27 Sept - 11 Oct 1918
Map Upgraded October 15, 2007

This is also described in Nicholson Chapter XIV
Nicholson Chapter XIV: Through the Hindenburg Line to Cambrai

This follows closely on Map 12 and the Battle of Arras, also detailed in Chapter XIV of Nicholson's text. The Canadians had crossed the Canal du Nord.

Early October 1918 came with orders for the Canadians to work with the British 3rd Army to capture Cambrai. The attack commenced on October 8th and within hours the Canadians had crossed the canal and moved into Cambrai. The German's were falling back, blowing bridges as they left. The quick pace of the Canadian advance brought Brutinel's Brigade and the Canadian Light Horse into action, however the cavalry quickly met the German machine guns and were forced to "dig in".

Units of the Canadian Mounted Rifles (now dismounted Infantry Battalions) led the attack into Cambrai over partially destroyed bridges, where to their surprise they found the city deserted. The 4th Canadian Engineers quickly went to work to build new bridges for the wheeled traffic and guns.

The Canadian's were to strike their final blow on October 11, 1918 prior to being relieved by the British. There was a vicious battle for the Iwuy Spur, with great support from the 2nd Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade. After 47 days and a straight forward gain of 23 miles, Currie's Canadian's handed over command to the British 22nd Corps. In those days the loses were considered light, but they were 1,544 Officers and 29,262 other ranks - a staggering number in today's world. The Canadian's left the Cambrai area after liberating 54 towns and villages and capturing 18,585 prisoners, 371 heavy guns and nearly 2,000 machine guns.

All that was left now was the final advance from Cambrai to Mons.