German morale
Canadian soldiers escorting German prisoners 1918. NAM 2002-02-589-112
The German army's reserves were severely depleted by four years of war. Likewise, the German economy was suffering from the Allied naval blockade and the home population was on the verge of starvation. The Allied victories during the ‘Hundred Days’, especially the breaking of the Hindenburg Line, were the final straw for many and German troops began surrendering in larger numbers. Nevertheless, parts of their retreating army continued to fight ferociously and Allied casualties were still very heavy. The British suffered 350,000 casualties between August 1918 and the end of the war in November.
Cambrai taken
After the breaking of the Hindenburg Line the Germans retreated to a new line running south from Cambrai. On 8 October 1918 the British Third and Fourth Armies and the French First Army attacked along a 27 kilometre (17 mile) front extending south from Cambrai, which was captured the following day. The Allies advanced seven kilometres (four miles) before the Germans took up a new position on the Selle. After a brief pause another successful set-piece attack was launched on 17 October.
British machine-gunners in action during the ‘Hundred Days’, 1918. NAM 1995-03-84-9
‘Brigadier comes up at about 5pm to the C.O. [Commanding Officer], Signalling Officer & RSM [Regimental Sergeant Major] both badly hit. Shardley tells me we are to attack the village at 5.30pm as the Heavies are blowing it to bits. A shell at H.Q. causes 10 casualties including the C.O. Move off down road into the village taking second turning on left [with Platoons] in the following order No 11, No 9, No 10, No 12. At turning into town [Le Cateau] we meet a terrible barrage of very heavy shells. A terrible wish to turn back. Awful noise. A big shell lands in the middle of No 11 [Platoon, C Company] a bare 20 yards in front of me. Men and fragments hurled to right and left. One man hurries back with his left knee blown off. I rush my platoon through into the town before the next one comes… Met by a street full of mustard gas.’
Diary entry for 10 October 1918 by Second Lieutenant Alan McPeake, 5th Battalion, The Connaught Rangers. NAM 1992-04-153-3
