The Hundred Days Offensive, spanning from August to November 1918, marked the final phase of the First World War. In this relentless push against German forces, the Canadian Corps, led by Lieutenant-General Sir Arthur Currie, played a decisive and highly distinguished role. Known as “Canada’s Hundred Days,” this period saw the Canadian Corps achieve a series of crucial victories that ultimately helped to break the German lines, force a retreat, and contribute significantly to the eventual armistice on November 11, 1918. Over the course of these hundred days, the Canadians fought with skill, determination, and efficiency, earning a reputation as elite shock troops who could be relied upon to deliver breakthroughs where other forces had faltered. Historian Tim Cook wrote, “In those final hundred days, the Canadian Corps drove through the heart of the German defenses with a relentless power that foreshadowed the war’s inevitable end” (Shock Troops).
Strategic Context: The Turning Point of the War
By the summer of 1918, the strategic situation on the Western Front had shifted in favor of the Allies. The German Army, after a failed Spring Offensive aimed at breaking through Allied lines and reaching Paris, was weakened and increasingly demoralized. In response, Marshal Ferdinand Foch, the Allied Supreme Commander, devised a plan for a series of coordinated offensives to push the Germans back and prevent them from regrouping. These offensives would become known as the Hundred Days Offensive and would involve rapid, successive attacks aimed at overwhelming German forces.
The Canadian Corps, under Currie’s command, had proven its effectiveness in previous battles, including Vimy Ridge and Passchendaele, and was given a central role in the offensive. The Canadians’ task was to break through heavily fortified German defenses, opening the way for broader Allied advances. Historian G.W.L. Nicholson noted, “In the final days of the war, the Canadian Corps emerged as a spearhead for the Allied effort, their skill and discipline shaping the course of the offensive” (Canadian Expeditionary Force: 1914–1919).
Currie’s Leadership and Tactical Innovations
Lieutenant-General Arthur Currie approached the Hundred Days Offensive with meticulous planning and a deep understanding of modern warfare. Currie believed in thorough preparation, and he consistently emphasized the need for artillery support, close coordination between infantry and artillery, and well-defined objectives for each operation. Unlike the static trench warfare that had characterized much of the conflict, the Hundred Days required rapid advances and adaptability. Currie’s tactical approach centered on achieving surprise, maintaining momentum, and minimizing casualties through careful planning.
Currie was also a pioneer of the creeping barrage, a tactic that involved a rolling wave of artillery fire that advanced just ahead of the infantry, protecting them from German machine guns and forcing the enemy to take cover. This tactic allowed Canadian soldiers to move across the battlefield with a measure of protection and was crucial in achieving breakthroughs during the Hundred Days. Historian Pierre Berton wrote, “Currie’s creeping barrage was both sword and shield, paving the way for his men while blinding the enemy to the advance” (Vimy).
The Battle of Amiens: The Opening of the Hundred Days
The Hundred Days Offensive began with the Battle of Amiens on August 8, 1918, a date that became known as the “Black Day of the German Army” due to the devastating losses inflicted on German forces. At Amiens, the Canadian Corps, alongside British, Australian, and French units, launched a surprise attack that broke through German defenses and advanced over 11 kilometers on the first day alone. The Canadians played a pivotal role in the success of the battle, using a combination of infantry, artillery, tanks, and air support to achieve rapid progress.
The 1st and 2nd Canadian Divisions spearheaded the assault, advancing behind a creeping barrage and supported by over 500 tanks. This coordinated attack caught the Germans off-guard, forcing them into a chaotic retreat. The Canadians captured thousands of prisoners and inflicted heavy casualties, demonstrating their skill and effectiveness as shock troops. Historian C.P. Stacey observed, “Amiens was a triumph of planning and execution, a battle where the Canadians led the charge that shattered the German line” (A Very Double Life).
The success at Amiens set the tone for the rest of the Hundred Days Offensive, as the Allies continued to press the Germans on all fronts, preventing them from regrouping and keeping them constantly on the defensive.
Breaking the Drocourt-Quéant Line: August 26 – September 3, 1918
Following the victory at Amiens, the Canadian Corps was tasked with breaching the Drocourt-Quéant Line, a heavily fortified section of the Hindenburg Line that served as a critical German defensive position. This line was protected by barbed wire, concrete bunkers, and machine-gun nests, making it one of the most formidable obstacles on the Western Front.
On August 26, 1918, the Canadians launched their assault, with the 1st and 4th Canadian Divisions leading the attack. Under Currie’s orders, the Canadian artillery unleashed a massive barrage, targeting German defenses and providing cover for the advancing infantry. The Canadians moved forward with determination, using close-quarters combat to clear German trenches and bunkers.
By September 3, the Canadian Corps had breached the Drocourt-Quéant Line, forcing the Germans to abandon their positions and retreat. This victory was a significant blow to the German Army, as it marked the collapse of one of their last major defensive lines. Historian Tim Cook noted, “The Canadians at Drocourt-Quéant tore open the heart of the German defenses, leaving them vulnerable and exposed” (Shock Troops).
The Battle of the Canal du Nord: September 27 – October 1, 1918
The next major engagement for the Canadian Corps was the Battle of the Canal du Nord, another key component of the Hindenburg Line defenses. The canal presented a natural barrier that the Germans believed would delay the Allies, giving them time to reorganize. Currie, however, devised a plan that involved exploiting a dry section of the canal to cross it quickly and overwhelm the German defenders on the other side.
The assault began on September 27, 1918, with the 1st and 4th Canadian Divisions crossing the dry section of the canal under heavy artillery cover. Once across, the Canadians quickly spread out, securing the bridgehead and neutralizing German machine-gun positions. The fighting was fierce, with the Germans launching counterattacks to try to reclaim their positions. Despite this, the Canadians pressed forward, capturing key areas and forcing the Germans into a retreat. By October 1, the Canadians had secured the canal and advanced several kilometers beyond it, further weakening German resistance. Historian Desmond Morton remarked, “The capture of the Canal du Nord was a masterpiece of Currie’s leadership, a victory that underscored Canada’s role as a key player in the Allied advance” (When Your Number’s Up).
The Capture of Cambrai: October 8 – October 10, 1918
The capture of Cambrai was another significant achievement for the Canadian Corps during the Hundred Days Offensive. Cambrai was a crucial transportation hub, essential to the German Army’s logistics and supply lines. Recognizing the importance of this objective, Currie ordered a rapid assault on the town, using a combination of infantry, tanks, and artillery.
On October 8, 1918, the Canadian Corps launched its attack, with the 1st and 3rd Canadian Divisions leading the charge. The Canadians moved through Cambrai with precision, clearing German defenders from each street and building. By October 10, they had secured the town, capturing hundreds of German soldiers and seizing valuable supplies. The capture of Cambrai marked a decisive blow to German logistics and forced the German Army into further retreat. Historian G.W.L. Nicholson wrote, “Cambrai was a vital victory, a triumph that crippled German supply lines and hastened their inevitable defeat” (Canadian Expeditionary Force: 1914–1919).
The Pursuit to Mons: November 1 – November 11, 1918
The final phase of the Hundred Days Offensive saw the Canadian Corps advancing relentlessly through Belgium in a pursuit that would end in the liberation of Mons just hours before the Armistice. Beginning on November 1, the Canadians pushed forward with a sense of urgency, overcoming German rear-guard actions and liberating towns and villages along the way.
On November 10, the Canadians entered Mons, a town of symbolic significance, as it was where the British Expeditionary Force had first engaged German troops in 1914. By November 11, as the Armistice took effect, the Canadian Corps was in full control of Mons, marking the end of their journey from the outset of the Hundred Days to the final moments of the war. Historian C.P. Stacey described this pursuit as “the last act of courage in a long and grueling campaign, a race that ended in the victory Canada had fought so hard to achieve” (A Very Double Life).
The Human Cost and Legacy of Canada’s Hundred Days
The achievements of the Canadian Corps during the Hundred Days Offensive came at a significant cost. Over the course of these battles, the Canadians suffered approximately 45,000 casualties. Despite these losses, the Canadian Corps emerged as one of the most effective fighting forces on the Western Front, earning the respect of both their Allies and their adversaries. The term “shock troops” became synonymous with Canadian soldiers, who had consistently proven their ability to achieve breakthroughs and sustain advances under the most challenging conditions.
The legacy of Canada’s Hundred Days is deeply embedded in the nation’s history. For many Canadians, these final battles represented a coming of age for a young nation, a moment when Canadian soldiers demonstrated their independence, resilience, and skill on the world stage. Historian Pierre Berton captured this sentiment, writing, “In those final days of the war, Canada was forged anew, its identity shaped by the courage and sacrifice of those who fought to bring peace” (Vimy).
Conclusion: Canada’s Hundred Days and the Path to Victory
The Hundred Days Offensive stands as a testament to the courage, skill, and resilience of the Canadian Corps. Under Currie’s leadership, the Canadians delivered a series of decisive blows that shattered German defenses and hastened the end of the war. From Amiens to Mons, the Canadian Corps advanced with unwavering determination, each victory bringing the world closer to peace.
The legacy of Canada’s Hundred Days endures as a symbol of the nation’s strength and resolve. In the words of historian G.W.L. Nicholson, “Canada’s Hundred Days was not just a military campaign but a defining chapter in the nation’s story, a chapter that showed the world what Canada could achieve when united in a common cause” (Canadian Expeditionary Force: 1914–1919). The achievements of the Canadian Corps during this period remain a source of pride, a reminder of the sacrifices made and the victory earned by those who fought in the final push toward peace.
References
- Berton, Pierre. Vimy. McClelland & Stewart, 1986.
- Nicholson, G.W.L. Canadian Expeditionary Force: 1914–1919. Queen’s Printer, 1962.
- Stacey, C.P. A Very Double Life: The Army in Canada and the Half Century of Conflict. Queen’s Printer, 1960.
- Cook, Tim. Shock Troops: Canadians Fighting the Great War, 1917–1918. Viking Canada, 2008.
- Morton, Desmond. When Your Number’s Up: The Canadian Soldier in the First World War. Random House Canada, 1993.