Bourlon Wood Canadian Memorial

After the battles east of Arras, British troops found themselves facing the canal and the Hindenburg Line. The objectives of the British 1st and 3rd Armies were to attack and cross the Canal du Nord, take the northern extension of the Hindenburg Line, and then capture the town of Cambrai, a real communications hub for the enemy.

The attack was given on September 27 at 5:20 a.m. to take the Germans by surprise.

Three brigades of the Canadian Corps used a narrow passageway that was not flooded by the enemy to make their way toward Bourlon Wood, the main objective. Behind these infantry brigades a specially ordered rolling barrage of artillery protected the advance of the soldiers in the open. Canadian engineer sappers followed closely behind the infantry in an effort to hurriedly build critically important bridges.

Once the canal was crossed, the troops were ordered to assemble and expand the front at lightning speed, increasing it from 2 to 15 kilometers. The troops were then to encircle Bourlon Wood and prepare to advance toward Cambrai. In twelve hours of fierce fighting, the Canadians advanced more than 8 kilometers.

By mid-morning, the defenders were either taken prisoner or had retreated. The Canadian Corps captured Bourlon Wood where the enemy artillery was located.

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