The Battle of Cambrai? 1917.
THE YPRES TIMES
AFTER a period of rest at the beginning of November, 1917, we had been
informed that we were to take part in a surprise attack on Cambrai, and were
warned against talking about it in estaminets, or in the presence of civilians.
We therefore proceeded to Peronne, and in order that no inkling of our movements
should reach enemy ears, we marched from thence at night only, resting during the
daytime. After three all-night marches we reached Equancourt and Fins, villages
behind a very quiet part of the line nearest Cambrai. A day or so was spent at
Imperial War Museum] [Crown copyright
WE MOVED FORWARD IN ARTILLERY FORMATION ACROSS THE THREE LINES
OF ENEMY TRENCHES."
Equancourt getting ready extra supplies of bombs, ammunition, flares, etc.
Numerous tanks had been brought up with the same secrecy, lying camouflaged,
hidden during the day.
At two o'clock on the morning of November 20th we left Equancourt and
arrived at the front line near Havrincourt, an hour before dawn. We were
assembled in platoons just behind the front trenches, ready to go forward as soon
as the 62nd Division had taken the enemy first, second and third line of trenches.
When this had been accomplished our task was to pass through them, and, accom
panied by tanks, take as much ground as possible, in fact the town of Cambrai itself.
While we were being issued with a small rum ration, our barrage opened with
a sudden roar on the German trenches, and the 62nd Division went over to the
