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Age-19

94, Evelina Road Nunhead

The Battle of Cambrai

This was a major British offensive on the Western Front that was launched on 20th November, 1917 and lasted through to the beginning of December. As the name suggests it was an attack towards the city of Cambrai and the important German railhead there, which it was hoped would be captured. The battle was notable for two things: the massed use of tanks for the first time and the success of the first day’s fighting when the formidable Hindenburg Line was breached and gains of five miles were made in places. In celebration the church bells throughout Britain were rung. However this success was short lived. The tanks were not reliable and the German defence stiffened as the fighting progressed and when they counter attacked in force on 30th November, the British came under so much pressure that they were forced to withdraw from many of the positions they had captured earlier on. Both sides suffered around 45,000 casualties during the course of the fighting.

At 6.10am on 20th November, 1917, 20th Division attacked along the north-western slopes of the Gonnelieu Spur and Welsh Ridge and into the valley beyond, with 61 Brigade  and 60 Brigade  preceded by I and A Battalions of the Tank Corps. 59 Brigade were in reserve and at 9am they moved forward down the valley from la Vacquerie to extend the the defensive flank formed by the 12th Division on the Bonavis Ridge. They were led by 11th Rifle Brigade with 10th Rifle Brigade following. At first they got involved in the fighting for the 2nd objective but by 10.30am were able to move clear of the Brown Line and take up their allotted positions. At 6.30am on the following day, 21st November, 20th Division launched an attack from the Bonavis Ridge with three weak companies of 10th Rifle Brigade advancing against Rues des Vignes. They reached the canal lock crossing but the enemy remained in possession of the northern edge of Les Rues des Vignes and as a consequence, two of these companies were withdrawn to avoid envelopment. At 4.30pm, a company of 10th King’s Royal Rifle Corps rushed the south-western part of les Rues des Vignes and made contact with the company of 10th Rifle Brigade, still in position near the lock crossing. After dark, both companies were withdrawn to the slopes above the village. 10th Rifle Brigade sustained a number of casualties during this operation, one of whom was William James.