Battle of Cambrai (1918) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Cambrai, 1918
Part of the Hundred Days Offensive of World War I
Canadian troops advancing along the Arras-Cambrai Road
Date 8–10 October 1918 Location Cambrai, France 50°10′36″N 3°14′08″E / 50.1767°N 3.2356°E / 50.1767; 3.2356 Result Allied victory
Belligerents
British Empire  United Kingdom  Canada  New Zealand	German Empire
Commanders and leaders
Henry Horne Julian Byng Henry Rawlinson Sir Arthur Currie	Otto von Below
Strength
630,000 in 21 divisions 90,000 in 3 divisions 30,000 in 1 division 324 tanks	180,000
Casualties and losses
12,000	10,000

The Battle of Cambrai, 1918 was a big fight during World War I. It happened near the city of Cambrai in France. This battle took place from October 8 to 10, 1918.

It was part of the Hundred Days Offensive, which was the final push by the Allies to end the war. British and German forces fought in this battle.

This battle was special because it used many new fighting methods. Over 300 tanks were involved. These tanks helped the Allied forces gain a lot of ground very quickly. The battle was a victory for the Allies. It also had fewer casualties than many other battles in the war.

How the Battle Unfolded

The German army had three lines of defense. These lines stretched for about 7,000 meters (about 4.3 miles). Only a few German divisions were defending them. They also had fewer than 150 guns.

The German defenses were weak for a few reasons. The Allies were attacking everywhere on the Western Front. Also, the Canadian Corps was moving very fast. They had already broken through much stronger defenses in the days before.

The German defenders were not ready for what was coming. On October 8, 1918, the Allies launched a huge attack. They used 324 tanks, supported by soldiers on foot and airplanes.

The 2nd Canadian Division entered Cambrai first. They met only a little resistance. They quickly pushed north. The 3rd Canadian Division followed behind them. Their job was to clear out any remaining German soldiers in the town.

By October 10, the 3rd Canadian Division entered Cambrai. They found the town empty. The battle for Cambrai itself was very quick. The Canadians had fewer than 20 casualties taking the town.

After the Battle

The Allies captured Cambrai much faster than they thought they would. However, German resistance became stronger northeast of the town. This slowed down the Allied advance. The Canadian Corps had to dig in and prepare for more fighting.

A British soldier named Arthur Bullock shared his experience. He entered Cambrai after it was taken. He saw the German forces being pushed back. He described "masses of troops" moving around. He also heard music, as battalions marched in with their bands playing.

Bullock remembered seeing over half a million men from one spot. He called it a "spectacle on a grand scale." He felt it showed the great power and spirit of the military. He also recalled marching through the "empty echoing streets of Cambrai, with the band playing."

Legacy of the Battle

The Battle of Cambrai was so important that it was featured in a video game. It was a setting for the mission "Through Mud and Blood" in the game Battlefield 1.