The British Campaign in France and Flanders—July to November, 1918Doyle, Arthur Conan
History
The British Campaign in France and Flanders—July to November, 1918
Doyle, Arthur Conan
World War, 1914-1918 -- Campaigns -- Western Front
The Germans still seemed inclined to fight in this
quarter to the west of the Selle River, especially at St. Aubert and
Solesmes. They were brushed aside, however, and on October 13 the
Guards gained that portion of St. Python which is west of the Selle,
a stream about thirty feet across and of some depth. It was evident
that an organised full-scale attack would have to be made at this
point, so the Sixth Corps waited for the general signal.
[Sidenote: Oct. 9.]
Returning to the Seventeenth Corps: On the morning of October 9 the
attack was renewed by Daly's Twenty-fourth Division, a unit which has
always been in the heart of the fighting in the past, and now was in
the line once more. It was a great day, {227} for early in the
morning, as is recorded elsewhere, the Canadians and the
Fifty-seventh Division had entered Cambrai. The situation seemed
fluid, and the enemy disorganised, so the 6th Dragoon Guards were
ordered forward to work towards Cagnoncles, while the 72nd Brigade,
having taken Awoingt, gave way to the 73rd Brigade, who advanced
towards Cauroir and west of Romilly. The Germans, however, were in a
strong line of rifle-pits behind triple wire, so that the cavalry
could gain no ground. The infantry were also unable to get forward
very far on that day, but evening saw them in close touch with the
German covering rearguards, the Twenty-fourth Division touching the
Guards on the right, the Canadians on the left. In the morning of
October 10 the screen had dissolved and the leading lines of the
Seventeenth Corps, consisting of the 17th Brigade, were soon to the
east of Cagnoncles, which fell to the 7th Northamptons, while the
Dragoon Guards were pushing ahead once more. Rieux and Avesnes were
both taken by the Twenty-fourth Division during the day, and before
evening the line was well to the east of Cambrai, General Daly
pushing the advance with great vigour.
[Sidenote: Oct. 11.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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