20th November 1917
The Battle of Cambrai (Battle of Cambrai, 1917, First Battle of Cambrai and Schlacht von Cambrai) was a British attack followed by the biggest German counter-attack against the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) since 1914, in the First World War. Cambrai, in the département of Nord, was an important supply point for the German Siegfriedstellung (known to the British as the Hindenburg Line) and capture of the town and the nearby Bourlon Ridge would threaten the rear of the German line to the north. Major General Henry Tudor, Commander, Royal Artillery (CRA) of the 9th (Scottish) Division, advocated the use of new artillery-infantry techniques on his sector of the front. During preparations, J. F. C. Fuller, a staff officer with the Tank Corps, looked for places to use tanks for raids. General Julian Byng, commander of the British Third Army, decided to combine both plans.
After a big British success on the first day, mechanical unreliability, German artillery and infantry defences exposed the frailties of the Mark IV tank. On the second day, only about half of the tanks were still operational. Subsequent British progress was limited. In the History of the Great War the British official historian, Wilfrid Miles and modern scholars do not place exclusive credit for the first day on tanks but discuss the concurrent evolution of artillery, infantry and tank methods. Numerous developments since 1915 matured at Cambrai, such as predicted artillery fire, sound ranging, infantry infiltration tactics, infantry-tank co-ordination and close air support. The techniques of industrial warfare continued to develop and played a vital part during the Hundred Days Offensive in 1918, along with replacement of the Mark IV tank with improved types. The rapid reinforcement and defence of Bourlon Ridge by the Germans, as well as the subsequent counter-stroke were also notable achievements, which gave the Germans hope that an offensive strategy could end the war before American mobilisation became overwhelming..
Air Support
Two weeks before the start of the battle the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) began to train its pilots in ground-attack tactics. Before the ground offensive, the RFC was assigned sets of targets to attack, including trenches, supply points and enemy airfields. Eighteen scouts of the Royal Flying Corps leave the ground under most unfavorable weather conditions in order to reconnoiter certain areas, and Captain Edward Mannock returns first with valuable information, while many other pilots bring back information that is of considerable use.
General Headquarters, November 21st.
“On the 20th inst. our aeroplanes attempted to work throughout the day in conjunction with our operations between St. Quentin and the River Scarpe. Low clouds and mist and a strong westerly wind, with drizzle and occasional rain throughout the day, made it necessary for our pilots to fly at 50 ft. from the ground. Even at that height they were at times quickly lost in the mist. Continual attempts were made to maintain contact with our advancing troops, but this was rendered almost impossible by the weather conditions. Many bombs were dropped on the enemy's batteries, lorries, aerodromes, transport and railways. Batteries and small groups of infantry were attacked with machine-gun fire. Valuable information was gained, despite the very difficult conditions. Only five hostile machines were seen all day on the battle front. Eleven of our machines are missing, their loss being due to the mist and the exceptionally low height at which they were compelled to fly.”
General Headquarters, November 22nd.
“Further details received show that the attacks made on the 20th inst. on the enemy's infantry and transport by our low-flying pilots, including pilots from the Australian Squadrons, were most successful.“
On 20th low clouds and mist again made aerial work very difficult, but quite a considerable amount of work was carried out, on account of the attack by the First and Third Armies south and south-west of Cambrai. Twenty reconnaissances were carried out by the 1st Brigade, one by the 2nd Brigade and eight by the 3rd Brigade. With aeroplane observation six hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction. The chief work throughout the day was the attack by our scouts of enemy troops from low altitudes with machine gun-fire and dropping bombs on all suitable targets. Machines of the 3rd Brigade dropped 78 25-lb bombs and fired 5,500 rounds. In all 10,600 rounds were fired during the day.
Eighteen scouts of the 1st Brigade left the ground under the most unfavourable weather conditions in order to reconnoitre certain areas and Capt E Mannock, No 40 Squadron, returned first, with information, while many other machines brought back information that was of considerable use.
Four 25-lb bombs were dropped on Oppy by No 5 Squadron and two on Auchy by No 2 Squadron. One machine of No 57 Squadron dropped two 112-lb bombs on Courtrai sidings from 300 feet. Two other machines of this squadron attacked Menin, on which one 290-lb and two 112-lb bombs were dropped, and one was seen to burst on the railway. Eighteen 25-lb bombs were dropped by Nos 7, 9 and 69 Squadrons on various targets. Fifteen 25-lb bombs were dropped by Corps machines of the 3rd Brigade, six by the 14th Wing and two 112-lb bombs by machines of No 27 Squadron.
Admiralty, November 24th.
“On November 20th, also, one enemy machine was destroyed. All our machines have returned safely.”
No war work of any importance could be carried out owing to the unfavourable weather conditions. In the afternoon E.A. were observed S. of Nieuport, one of our patrols from No. 9 Squadron left in pursuit, but on arrival E.A. had already been driven back by other Allied machines.
Flight Sub-Lieut. Knott saw a company of enemy infantry crossing a bridge N.E. of Dixmude, and descending to 500 feet, fired some 300 rounds into them, killing some and scattering the remainder.
The Battle
The battle began at dawn, approximately 06:30 on 20 November, with a predicted bombardment by 1,003 guns on German defences, followed by smoke and a creeping barrage at 300 yd (270 m) ahead to cover the first advances. Despite efforts to preserve secrecy, the Germans had received sufficient intelligence to be on moderate alert: an attack on Havrincourt was anticipated, as was the use of tanks. The attacking force was six infantry divisions of the III Corps (Lieutenant-General Pulteney) on the right and IV Corps (Lieutenant-General Charles Woollcombe) on the left, supported by nine battalions of the Tank Corps with about 437 tanks. In reserve was one infantry division in IV Corps and the three divisions of the Cavalry Corps (Lieutenant-General Charles Kavanagh). Initially, there was considerable success in most areas and it seemed as if a great victory was within reach; the Hindenburg Line had been penetrated with advances of up to 5.0 mi (8 km). On the right, the 12th (Eastern) Division advanced as far as Lateau Wood before being ordered to dig in. The 20th (Light) Division forced a way through La Vacquerie and then advanced to capture a bridge across the Canal de Saint-Quentin at Masnières. The bridge collapsed under the weight of a tank halting the hopes for an advance across the canal.[9] In the centre the 6th Division captured Ribécourt and Marcoing but when the cavalry passed through late, they were repulsed from Noyelles.
On the IV Corps front, the 51st (Highland) Division was held at Flesquières, its first objective. This left the attacking divisions on each flank exposed to enfilade fire. The commander of the 51st Division, George Montague Harper had substituted his own tank drill for the standard one laid down by the Tank Corps. Flesquières was one of the strongest points in the German line and was flanked by other strong points. Its defenders under Major Krebs acquitted themselves well against the tanks, almost 40 being knocked out by the Flesquières artillery. There is little evidence for Krüger's actions, although it is possible that he may have been responsible for as many as nine tanks. Twenty-eight tanks were lost in the action, through German artillery-fire and breakdowns. Haig concluded that skirmishing infantry was needed, to bring the artillery crews under small-arms fire to allow the tanks to operate. The common explanation of the "mythical" German officer ignored the fact that the British tanks were faced with the German 54th Division, which had specialised training in anti-tank tactics and experience against French tanks in the Nivelle Offensive. The Germans abandoned Flesquières during the night.
To the west of Flesquières, the 62nd (2nd West Riding) Division swept all the way through Havrincourt and Graincourt to within reach of the woods on Bourlon Ridge and on the British left, the 36th Division reached the Bapaume–Cambrai road. Of the tanks, 180 were out of action after the first day, although only 65 had been destroyed. Of the other casualties, 71 had suffered mechanical failure and 43 had ditched.[15] The British lost c. 4,000 casualties and took 4,200 prisoners, a casualty rate half that of the Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele) and a greater advance in six hours than in three months at Flanders but the British had failed to reach Bourlon Ridge. The German command was quick to send reinforcements and was relieved that the British did not manage fully to exploit their early gains. When the battle was renewed on 21 November, the pace of British advance was greatly slowed. Flesquières, that had been abandoned and Cantaing were captured in the very early morning but in general the British took to consolidating their gains rather than expanding. The efforts of III Corps were officially halted and attention was turned to IV Corps.
Men of the 16th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles of the 36th (Ulster) Division moving to the front line 20 November 1917
The effort was aimed at Bourlon Ridge. Fighting was fierce around Bourlon and at Anneux (just before the woods) was costly. German counter-attacks squeezed the British out of Moeuvres on 21 November and Fontaine on 22 November; when Anneux was taken, the 62nd Division found themselves unable to enter Bourlon Wood. The British were left exposed in a salient. Haig still wanted Bourlon Ridge and the exhausted 62nd Division was replaced by the 40th Division (John Ponsonby) on 23 November. Supported by almost 100 tanks and 430 guns, the 40th Division attacked into the woods of Bourlon Ridge on the morning of 23 November and made little progress. The Germans had put two divisions of Gruppe Arras on the ridge with another two in reserve and Gruppe Caudry was reinforced. The 40th Division attack reached the crest of the ridge but were held there and suffered more than 4,000 casualties in three days. More British troops were pushed in to move beyond the woods but the British reserves were rapidly depleted and more German reinforcements were arriving. The final British effort was on 27 November by the 62nd Division aided by 30 tanks. Early success was soon reversed by a German counter-attack. The British now held a salient roughly 6.8 mi × 5.9 mi (11 km × 9.5 km) with its front along the crest of the ridge. On 28 November, the offensive was stopped and the British troops were ordered to lay wire and dig in. The Germans were quick to concentrate their artillery on the new British positions. On 28 November, more than 16,000 shells were fired into the wood.
German 2nd Army
As the British took the ridge, the Germans began reinforcing the area. As early as 23 November, the German command felt that a British breakthrough would not occur and began to consider a counter-offensive. Twenty divisions were arrayed in the Cambrai area.[26] The Germans intended to retake the Bourlon salient and also to attack around Havrincourt while diversionary attacks would hold IV Corps; it was hoped to at least reach the old positions on the Hindenburg Line. The Germans intended to employ the new tactics of a short, intense period of shelling followed by a rapid assault using Hutier infiltration tactics, leading elements attacking in groups rather than waves and bypassing strong opposition. For the initial assault at Bourlon three divisions of Gruppe Arras under Otto von Moser were assigned. On the eastern flank of the British salient, Gruppe Caudry attacked from Bantouzelle to Rumilly and aimed for Marcoing. Gruppe Busigny advanced from Banteux. The two corps groups had seven infantry divisions.
British VII Corps (Lieutenant-General Thomas D'Oyly Snow), to the south of the threatened area, warned III Corps of German preparations. The German attack began at 7:00 a.m. on 30 November; almost immediately, the majority of III Corps divisions were heavily engaged. The German infantry advance in the south was unexpectedly swift. The commanders of the 29th Division and 12th Division were almost captured, with Brigadier-General Berkeley Vincent having to fight his way out of his headquarters and grab men from retreating units to try to halt the Germans. In the south, the German advance spread across 13,000 m (13 km) and came within a few miles of the vital village of Metz and its link to Bourlon.
At Bourlon the Germans suffered heavy casualties. Despite this, the Germans closed and there was fierce fighting. British units displayed reckless determination; one group of eight British machine guns fired over 70,000 rounds in their efforts to stem the German advance. The concentration of British effort to hold the ridge was impressive but allowed the German advance elsewhere greater opportunity. Only counter-attacks by the Guards Division, the arrival of British tanks and the fall of night allowed the line to be held. By the following day, the impetus of the German advance was lost but pressure on 3 December led to the German capture of La Vacquerie and a British withdrawal on the east bank of the St Quentin canal. The Germans had reached a line looping from Quentin Ridge to near Marcoing. The German capture of Bonavis ridge made the British hold on Bourlon precarious. On 3 December, Haig ordered a partial retreat from the north salient and by 7 December, the British gains were abandoned except for a portion of the Hindenburg line around Havrincourt, Ribécourt and Flesquières. The Germans had exchanged this territorial loss for a slightly smaller sector to the south of Welsh Ridge.
The Aftermath
The first day success was greeted in Britain by the ringing of church bells. The massed use of tanks, despite being a further increase on previous deployments, was not entirely new but the success of the attack and the resulting Allied press enthusiasm,[citation needed] including in the United States, were unprecedented. The particular effectiveness of the tanks at Cambrai was the initial passage through barbed wire defences, which had been previously "supposed by the Germans to be impregnable."
The initial British success showed that even the strongest trench defences could be overcome by a surprise attack using a combination of new methods and equipment, reflecting a general increase in the British capacity to combine infantry, artillery, tanks and aircraft in attacks.[36] The German revival after the shock of the British attack improved German morale but the potential for similar attacks meant that the Germans had to divert resources to anti-tank defences and weapons, an extra demand that the Germans could ill afford to meet.
Wherever the ground offers suitable going for tanks, surprise attacks like this may be expected. That being the case, there can be no more mention, therefore, of quiet fronts.— Crown Prince Rupprecht
The German counter-attack confirmed the effectiveness of artillery, trench mortars and evolving stormtrooper tactics, adopted from a pattern introduced by General Hutier against the Russians.From the German perspective, questions arose regarding battlefield logistics much forward of the railhead infrastructure, as well as the offensive suitability of the MG 08 machine gun. By the end of the battle, gains and losses by the opposing forces were largely proportionate, the British having advanced modestly in the north and the Germans in the south. British disquiet concerning the German counter-offensive gains led to several investigations, including convening a Court of Enquiry.
Casualties
It was written that both sides had c. 40,000 casualties and questioned the British Official History figure of c. 53,000 German casualties, calling them "inflated for no good reason". Miles recorded British casualties from 20 November – 8 December as 47,596, of whom 9,000 were taken prisoner and an official German total of c. 41,000 casualties, which Miles increased to 53,300 on the assumption that German figures omitted lightly wounded, which were counted in British casualty records. Harris wrote that 11,105 German and 9,000 British prisoners were taken.
A total of seven Victoria Crosses are awarded on this day
During an attack the tank which Captain Richard William Leslie Wain (Manchester Regiment attached Tank Corps) is commanding is disabled by a direct hit near an enemy strong point which is holding up the attack. Captain Wain and one man, both seriously wounded are the only survivors. Though bleeding profusely from his wounds, he refuses the attention of stretcher-bearers, rushes from behind the tank with a Lewis gun, and captures the strong point, taking about half the garrison prisoners. Although his wounds are very serious he picks up a rifle and continues to fire at the retiring enemy until he receives a fatal wound in the head. It is due to the valour displayed by Captain Wain that the infantry are able to advance and due to his efforts he will be awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously.
Wain was born in Penarth near Cardiff, Wales to Florence E. Wain and Harris Wain. He was educated at The Cathedral School, Llandaff and then at Penarth Grammar School and St. Bees Grammar School. where he was a member of the Officer Training Corps. On the outbreak of the Great War, despite having won a scholarship to attend Oxford University, he joined the Territorial Army. He was commissioned into the Manchester Regiment on 16 July 1915 and served in France.
He was wounded on 1 July 1916 on the opening day of the battle of the Somme. He was serving as an officer of 17th Battalion of the Manchester Regiment; his unit suffering severe casualties as they successfully captured the village of Montauban. Wain served in A Company and was badly wounded as he led his men forward. He joined the Heavy Section of the Machine Gun Corps and was allocated to A Battalion. His unit, which was equipped with tanks, took part in the Battle of Messines in June 1917; Wain's tank reaching its final objective and destroying a number of German machine guns which were in a concrete emplacement.
He was 20 years old, and a section commander and acting captain in A Battalion, Tank Corps,when he was posthumously awarded a Victoria Cross for his actions on 20 November 1917 at Marcoing, near Cambrai, France during the battle of Cambrai (1917). His tank took a direct hit killing all but him and one member of his crew. Though severely wounded he rushed an enemy strong point with a Lewis gun capturing it and taking about half the garrison prisoners. His actions allowed the infantry, which had been pinned back by the machine gun post, to advance. He was killed shortly afterwards while continuing to fire on the retiring enemy.
Wain has no known grave. He is commemorated at the Cambrai Memorial to the Missing and on the war memorials at Llandaff Cathedral and in the chapel at St Bees School.
Robert Gordon McBeath, VC
McBeath was a 19 years old lance-corporal in the 1/5th Battalion, The Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs, Duke of Albany's) of the British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 20 November 1917 during the Battle of Cambrai in France, Lance-Corporal McBeath volunteered to deal with a nest of machine-gunners that checked the advance of his unit and which had caused heavy casualties. He moved off alone, armed with a Lewis gun and a revolver. Finding that several other machine-guns were in action, McBeath attacked them with the assistance of a tank and drove the gunners to ground in a deep dug-out. McBeath rushed in after them, shot the first man who opposed him and then drove the remainder of the garrison out of the dug-out. He captured three officers and 30 men.
McBeath's award was published in the London Gazette on 11 January 1918, which reads:
For most conspicuous bravery when with his company in attack and approaching the final objective, a nest of enemy machine-guns in the western outskirts of a village opened fire both on his own unit and on the unit to the right. The advance was checked and heavy casualties resulted.
When a Lewis gun was called for to deal with these machine-guns, L/Corpl. McBeath volunteered for the duty, and immediately moved off alone with a Lewis gun and his revolver. He located one of the machine-guns in action, and worked his way towards it, shooting the gunner with his revolver at 20 yards range. Finding several of the hostile machine-guns in action, he, with the assistance of a tank, attacked them and drove the gunners to ground in a deep dugout. L/Corpl. McBeath, regardless of all danger, rushed in after them, shot an enemy who opposed him on the steps, and drove the remainder of the garrison out of the dug-out, capturing three officers and 30 men. There were in all five machine-guns mounted round the dug-out, and by putting them out of action he cleared the way for the advance of both units. The conduct of L/Corpl. McBeath throughout three days of severe fighting was beyond praise.
After the war, McBeath and his wife moved to Canada, where he joined the British Columbia Provincial Police. On August 12, 1921, he joined the Vancouver Police Department. On October 9, 1922, while walking the beat on Granville and Davie Streets with his partner, Detective R. Quirk, McBeath stopped and arrested a man named Fred Deal for impaired driving. While escorting the prisoner to the nearest call-box, the man pulled a handgun from his pocket and shot both officers; MacBeath's partner survived, but McBeath died almost instantly. He was 23 years old.
Albert Edward Shepherd VC (11 January 1897 – 23 October 1966)
He was 20 years old, and a Private in the 12th (S) Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps, British Army during the First World War when he performed deeds at Villers Plouich, France on 20 November 1917 for which he was awarded the VC.
No. R/15089 Rflmn. Albert Edward Shepherd, K.R.R.C. (Barnsley).
For most conspicuous bravery as a company runner.
When his company was held up by a machine gun at point blank range he volunteered to rush the gun, and, though ordered not to, rushed forward and threw a Mills bomb, killing two gunners and capturing the gun. The company, on continuing its advance, came under heavy enfilade machine gun fire. When the last officer and the last non-commissioned officer had become casualties, he took command of the company, ordered the men to lie down, and himself went back some seventy yards under severe fire to obtain the help of a tank. He then returned to his company, and finally led them to their last objective. He showed throughout conspicuous determination and resource.
John ("Jack") Sherwood Kelly VC CMG DSO (13 January 1880 – 18 August 1931) was a South African recipient of the Victoria Cross. The four-times-wounded Kelly was not a Regular officer but a formidable and experienced commander with a combat record going back to the 1896 Matabele Revolt.
During his military career he achieved fame and notoriety for his mixture of heroic exploits and explosive temperament. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his exploits in Gallipoli in February 1916 and on 1 January 1917 was awarded the Companion of St Michael and St George (CMG). During the summer and autumn of 1917 he commanded 1st Battalion, the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and was instrumental in the early success achieved during the Battle of Cambrai on 20 November for which he received the Victoria Cross from King George V at Buckingham Palace on 23 January 1918. Kelly was gassed and wounded at various times.
He was 37 years old, and an Acting Lieutenant-Colonel in the Norfolk Regiment, British Army, Commanding Officer 1st Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 20 November 1917 during the Battle of Cambrai at Marcoing, France, when a party of men were held upon the near side of a canal by heavy rifle fire, Lieutenant Colonel Sherwood Kelly at once ordered covering fire, personally led his leading company across the canal and then reconnoitered, under heavy fire, the high ground held by the enemy. He took a Lewis gun team, forced his way through obstacles and covered the advance of his battalion, enabling them to capture the position. Later he led a charge against some pits from which heavy fire was coming, capturing five machine-guns and 46 prisoners.
Charles Edward Spackman VC, MM (11 January 1891 – 7 May 1969)
He was 26 years old, and a sergeant in the 1st Battalion, Border Regiment, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 20 November 1917 at Marcoing, France, the leading company was checked by heavy fire from a gun mounted on a position which covered the approaches. Sergeant Spackman, realising that it would be impossible for the troops to advance, went through heavy fire to the gun, where he succeeded in killing all but one of the gun crew and then captured the gun.
He was demobilised at the end of the war and rejoined the Border Regiment, as a part of the Territorial Force. He was issued serial number 3589576 in 1920. Spackman was still a part of the Territorial Force when the Second World War broke out. He volunteered for duty at the outbreak of war in the Kings Royal Rifle Corps as a sergeant major.
Henry Mareus "Harcus" Strachan VC, MC ( 7 November 1884 – 1 May 1982) was a Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross.
Strachan joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force in July 1915. Strachan was 33 years of age, and serving in the First World War with the Canadian Cavalry Brigade as a lieutenant in The Fort Garry Horse, when he performed the action for which he was awarded the VC. It has become traditional for the Garrys to hold a Regimental dinner every year on the anniversary of Strachan's unlikely cavalry exploit.
During the Battle of Cambrai on 20 November 1917 at Masnières, France, Lieutenant Strachan took command of the mounted squadron of Garrys when the 'B' Squadron leader, Captain Campbell, approaching the German front line at a gallop, was killed by machine gun fire
Believing that 29th Division with tanks already held the village of Masnieres, Brig. Gen. Nelson of 88th Brigade, ordered the Fort Garry Horse to advance across the St Quentin Canal. On approaching the river bridge in front of Masnieres, the Garrys could see that the town was still held by the enemy and that the bridge across the St Quentin Canal was broken. The Garrys then found the Hampshire Regiment were crossing, in single file, over the lock gates. Tearing up a wooden pier, they built a bridge suitable for horses to cross. By 4pm 'B' Squadron set out through a gap in the enemy wire. After Capt. Campbell was killed, Strachen led 'B' Squadron at the gallop to Rumilly. However, due to the state of the crossing at Masnieres and the limited available daylight Major-Gen W. H. Greenly commanding 2nd Cavalry Division, ordered any large-scale cavalry action to halt and recalled units that had crossed the Canal.
Neither Lt. Col. RW Patterson, commanding the Fort Garry Horse nor mounted orderlies, could find 'B' Squadron who were south-east of Rumilly. Cutting their way through a heavily camouflaged road they found a four-gunned German field battery in front of them. Charging, they rode down or sabred the gunners. Beyond the guns, German infantry challenged them and again Strachan led the charge, breaking the infantry but remaining under fire as they rode towards Rumilly. Until after dark the squadron, now less than fifty men and with five unwounded horses, sheltered in a sunken road 1,200 yards east of the town. When Strachan realised there was to be no support, the horse were cut loose and he withdrew towards the Canal. In a fighting withdrawal, four bodies of German troops were scattered.
Lieutenant Strachan led the squadron through the enemy line of machine-gun posts and then, with the surviving men, led the charge on the German battery, killing seven of the gunners with his sword. When all the gunners were killed and the battery silenced, he rallied his men and fought his way back at night on foot through the enemy's lines, bringing all unwounded men safely in, together with 15 prisoners.
Strachan, having been promoted to captain, received his VC from King George V on January 6, 1918.
Strachan died on 1 May 1982, at the age of 97 years and 175 days, the record longest-lived recipient of the Victoria Cross.
Samuel Thomas ****son Wallace VC (7 March 1892 – 2 February 1968) was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross. He was 25 years old, and a temporary lieutenant in the 'C' Battery 63rd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 20 November 1917 at Gonnelieu, France, when the personnel of Lieutenant Wallace's battery were reduced to five, having lost their commander and five sergeants, and were surrounded by enemy infantry, he maintained the firing of the guns by swinging the trails close together, the men running and loading from gun to gun. He was in action for eight hours firing the whole time and inflicting severe casualties on the enemy. Then, owing to the exhausted state of his men, he withdrew when the infantry supports arrived, taking with him all essential gun parts and all wounded.
20 Airmen were lost on this day
Lieutenant Alexander Charles Nicholas March de Lisle (Leicestershire Regiment attached Royal Flying Corps) is killed in action at age 20 when his RE8 is hit by a shell and crashes while on artillery observation near Ypres. He is the son of the late Edwin Joseph Lisle March Phillipps de Lisle Member of Parliament for Mid-Leicestershire from 1886-92.
Second Lieutenant Owen Watkin Wynn Hardinge Meredith 64 Squadron RFC (General List attached Royal Flying Corps) is killed when he is shot down by machine gun fire, while attacking a balloon near Cambrai at age 24. He is the only son of the late Vernerable Archdeacon Thomas Meredith late Vicar of Wolston and Archdeacon of Singapore. He was educated at Harrow and Cambridge University. He left Cambridge when the War broke out and took up war work at Coventry, subsequently entering Aeroplane Works at Hendon. At an aerodrome in England he made a record for high flying. He obtained his wings in July 1917 and went out to the front in October 1917. The Charity of Owen Watkin Wynn Hardinge Meredith will be set up by Thomas Meredith in memory of his son. A capital sum of money is in war stock and the interest from this is to be used to help the poor of the Parish of Tibberton.
20 AIRMEN HAVE FALLEN ON TUESDAY NOVEMBER 20TH 1917
Capt. Angus, R.E. (Robert Edward) 64 Squadron RFC
Capt. Cook, A.B. (Alfred Burton) 57 Squadron RFC
2nd Lt. Coppard, S.B.H. (Stuart Benjamin Hayes) 57 Squadron RFC
Lt. Darrington, H.E. (Harold Edgar) 27 Squadron RFC
Lt. Goodeve, S.M. (Stewart Marcon) 21 Squadron RFC
2nd Lt. Gubbin, J.R.F. (John Richard Francis) 47 Squadron RFC
2nd Lt. Hall, G.W. (George Wilfred) 2 Squadron RFC
The son of William (a grocer) and Annie (Fleming) Hall, David Sidney Hall served with the 9th (The Dumbartonshire) Battalion, Princess Louise's (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders); he was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on 17 April 1915. A D.H.4 pilot with 57 Squadron, Hall scored six victories in France in 1917.
Lt. (T./Capt.) David Sidney Hall, Arg. & Suth'd Highrs. and R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. While leading back his formation of five machines from a bombing raid he was attacked on eight different occasions by numerous enemy scouts. He himself shot down one in flames and another out of control, while his observer shot down two in flames. He has at all times, completed the task allotted to him, and set a splendid example.
2nd Lt. Hartigan, E.P. (Edward Patrick) 57 Squadron RFC
An American by birth, Edward Patrick Hartigan's family returned to Ireland when he was about five years old. He and his brother Luke joined the 8th Batallion, Royal Munster Fusiliers on 20 August 1915. He was promoted to temporary 2nd Lieutenant on 1 October 1916 and seconded to the Royal Flying Corps as a Flying Officer (observer) on 28 September 1917. Posted to 57 Squadron, Hartigan and his pilot, Captain David Sydney Hall, scored five victories in October 1917. On the morning of 20 November 1917, they were missing in action on the first day of the Battle of Cambrai. The wreckage of their D.H.4 was later found near Les Alleux. Hartigan and Hall are buried in Longuenesse Souvenir Cemetery.
2nd Lt. Higginson, W.C.V. (William Clifton Vernon) 3 Squadron RFC
2nd Lt. Horsfall, G.R. (George Rowland) 45 Squadron RFC
2nd Lt. Ledger, H.P. (Harold Partington) 3 Squadron RFC
2nd Lt. Phear, N.C. (Norman Carlyon) 27 Squadron RFC
Cpl. Stebbings, F.J. (Frederick James) No.2 Aircraft Depot RFC
Sgt. Stephenson, T.F. (Thomas Frederick) 11 Squadron RFC
The son of George Frederick and Annie Georgina Stephenson, Thomas Frederick Stephenson scored 5 victories flying the Bristol Fighter with his observer, 1st Air Mechanic Sidney Platel. On 31 October 1917, Stephenson and Platel were shot down by Hans Bethge of Jasta 30. Less than a month later, Stephenson was killed in action when he and Lieutenant T.W. Morse were shot down by Jasta 12. Morse survived but was captured
Air Mech 2 Swift, W.H. (William Henry) No3 Brigade RFC
Sgt. Taylor, R.C. (Robert Charles) 13 Squadron RFC
2nd Lt. Wylie, A.L. (Alan Lindsay) 15 Squadron RFC
2nd Lt. Young, G.J.T. (George James Taylor) 15 Squadron RFC
Cambrai: Royal Flying Corps concentrates 289 aircraft in 15 squadrons to support Third Army and first mass tank thrust against only 78 German planes. 4 Squadrons (13 aircraft lost or wrecked, 13 damaged by ground fire) fly ground attack 45 minutes after assault and 20 Sopwith Camels (4 lost) and Pups attack 4 of 6 targeted airfields. Air observers fail to report German batteries at Flesquieres, one pilot in error reports village captured before 1100 hours.
The following aces made claims on this day
Arthur Claydon England #1
Arthur Claydon was a general contractor living in Winnipeg, Manitoba when he enlisted on 18 February 1916. After serving with an artillery regiment, Claydon transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in 1917. Posted to 32 Squadron later that year, he was shot down by Max von Müller on 11 November 1917 but survived and scored his first victory flying the D.H.5. In May and June of 1918, he scored six more victories flying the S.E.5a but was killed in action when he was shot down by Paul Billik of Jasta 52.
Lt. (temp. Capt.) Arthur Claydon (formerly Canadian Fd. Arty.).
Recently this officer, single-handed, went to the assistance of another pilot, who was attacked by eleven Fokker biplanes and six scouts. By his gallant conduct and skilful manoeuvring he not only extricated the pilot, but drove down several of the enemy aeroplanes. He has shown great initiative and gallantry in locating, bombing and attacking troops on the ground from low altitudes.
William Fry England #6
Oliver William Redgate England #8
Erwin Böhme Germany #23
Josef Mai Germany #3
Erich Schütze Germany #4
Otto Splitgerber Germany #5
Walter Tyrrell Ireland #4
Antonio Chiri Italy u/c
Guido Masiero Italy u/c
EASTERN FRONT
Russia: Bolsheviks declare Ukrainian People’s Republic.
SOUTHERN FRONTS
Piave: Austrians take Mt Fontanasecca at start of week*long fighting.
Italy: The last two French divisions (23rd and 24th) arrive (until November 22). Foch leaves for Paris on November 23.
MIDDLE EAST
Palestine: 75th Division storms 3 ridges aided by mist, gets 5 miles north of Jerusalem on November 21, but Yeomanry Division expelled from Zeitun Ridge.
AFRICA
East Africa: Giffard’s 1/2nd KAR takes 127 PoWs at another camp. 900 Portuguese arrive at Ngomano. Lettow dismantles Newala radio station and begins march south to river Rovuma.
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