Nicholson Map 14: Valenciennes 1-2 November 1918
Map Upgraded October 15, 2007

This is also described in Nicholson Chapter XV
Nicholson Chapter XV: The Final Advance 12 October - 11 November

The Germans were on the run, the Allied victories of September 1918 and early October had resulted in Ludendorff and von Hindenburg requests for an armistice. It did not come to be, as the Allies were insisting on unconditional surrender.

By mid October Currie's Canadians were preparing to cross the Sensee Canal, meanwhile the Germans were partaking in a full scale withdrawal from the area. The 1st and 4th Canadian divisions were enhanced in the speed of their pursuit with the addition of the Canadian Light Horse, a Cyclist Battalion and two armoured cars. The Canadians were tired, but moving quickly, adapting as fast as they could to their new role as liberators of some 70,000 locals.

The Canadians were blocked at the Escaut Canal as they reached Valenciennes. The forests must first be cleared of the enemy before they could progress. The Germans still held their strategic location on Mont Houy. The Canadians waited and regrouped in anticipation of the attack on Valenciennes. A large scale bombardment or machine gun attack could not be initiated - there were just too many French nationals still in the city.

The attack on Mont Houy commenced on October 28, 1918. Three British and one French Army were poised and ready, while the Canadians prepared to strike Mont Houy. Valenciennes was soon encircled and penetration into the city core continued on November 1st and 2nd, with great success and with only minor losses. Some 1,800 Germans were captured and another 800 killed, while Canadian casualties remained low at 80 killed and 300 wounded.

Valenciennes was the last prearranged attack that would engage the Canadian Corps. They now became the pursuers as they chased the retreating enemy to Mons.