Cambrai, Battles of

Two battles in World War I at Cambrai in northeastern France as British forces attempted to retake the town from the occupying Germans, eventually succeeding on 5 October 1918.

First Battle 20-27 November 1917: the city was almost captured by the British in a major offensive but heavy losses and the lack of reserve troops left the British unable to resist the German counterattack and by the end of the action the British were almost back where they has started. This was the first battle in which large numbers of tanks were deployed.

Second Battle 26 August-5 October 1918: the town was attacked during the final British offensive, as part of the push to break the Hindenburg Line. A heavy artillery barrage and specially adapted Mark V tanks, which could span the broad trenches of the line, succeeded in forcing a 65 km/40 mi breach in the line and the town itself was recaptured 5 October.