Nicholson Map 8: Hill 70 and Lens 15-15 August 1917
Map Upgraded October 12, 2007

This is also described in Nicholson Chapter IX.
Nicholson Chapter IX:The Capture of Hill 70, 1917

The British resumed their attack in the Second Battle of the Scarpe on 23 April 1917 with the intent to capture further areas of the Hindenburg Line and drive the Germans back to the Drocourt-Queant Line. In the early days of the battle, the Canadian attack on the Arleux Loop has been described as "the only tangible success".

The Third Battle of the Scarpe followed in May 1917 with disappointing gains and heavy loses for the British. The Canadians were active in the attack on Fresnoy, an area that passed back and forth between the forces for some days.

By June 1917 the British forces had set their eyes on the encirclement of Lens, which required capturing Hill 70. June was an important month for the Canadian Expeditionary Force, as Lt.-Gen. Sir Arthur Currie assumed command. Currie was successful in persuading the British Command to make Hill 70 the Canadian objective. With a heavy smoke screen and a rolling barrage, the Canadians moved in on 15 August 1917, supported by a CEF diversionary attack on Lens. The battle continued back and forth for a number of days, but by the end of August quiet had set in, lasting throughout September into October. The Canadian casualties were high, but they had worn down 5 German Divisions. Hill 70 stayed in the Allie's hands until the end of the war, an important feature to the immunity from German attacks in 1918.