The Second Battle of Arras, fought from August 26 to September 3, 1918, was a defining moment in the Hundred Days Offensive, the final Allied push that would ultimately bring the First World War to an end. In this battle, the Canadian Corps, under the leadership of Lieutenant-General Sir Arthur Currie, achieved a remarkable breakthrough, capturing key German positions, including the Drocourt-Quéant Line, a crucial segment of Germany’s formidable Hindenburg Line defenses. This battle was marked by the Canadians’ skillful use of combined-arms tactics, meticulous planning, and relentless determination. The victory at Arras demonstrated the Canadians’ role as elite assault troops, capable of breaching what had been considered nearly impregnable German defensive lines. Historian Tim Cook remarked, “The Canadians at Arras took on the very backbone of Germany’s defenses, shattering it with precision, courage, and unyielding force” (Shock Troops).
Strategic Context: The Hundred Days Offensive and the Hindenburg Line
By late August 1918, the Allied forces had shifted from defensive to offensive operations, seeking to capitalize on the momentum generated by the successful Battle of Amiens. The Hundred Days Offensive was a series of coordinated attacks across the Western Front, designed to push the German forces back and compel them to seek an armistice. The Second Battle of Arras was an integral part of this strategy, as it targeted a critical section of the Hindenburg Line, a complex system of defensive fortifications that the Germans had constructed to withstand Allied assaults.
The Hindenburg Line included heavily fortified trenches, barbed wire, machine-gun emplacements, and concrete bunkers. Among these defenses, the Drocourt-Quéant Line was particularly important, serving as a secondary line of defense and a final fallback position for German forces in the area. Recognizing the strategic importance of breaching this line, the Allied High Command tasked the Canadian Corps with capturing it, fully aware of the difficulty of the task. Historian G.W.L. Nicholson noted, “The Drocourt-Quéant Line was not just a barrier; it was a bastion of German hopes, a position the Allies had to break if they were to shatter the German will to fight” (Canadian Expeditionary Force: 1914–1919).
Command and Preparations: Currie’s Calculated Approach
Lieutenant-General Arthur Currie, the commander of the Canadian Corps, approached the task of breaching the Drocourt-Quéant Line with the methodical and cautious planning for which he had become known. Currie understood the formidable nature of the German defenses and was determined to avoid unnecessary casualties. To achieve this, he ordered extensive reconnaissance and intelligence-gathering operations, ensuring that his commanders and troops were fully aware of the terrain, German positions, and the layout of the fortifications.
Currie’s strategy was to use a combination of infantry, artillery, tanks, and air support in a coordinated assault that would minimize exposure to enemy fire while maximizing the element of surprise. He emphasized precise timing and synchronization, using the creeping barrage tactic to protect his advancing infantry. This tactic, which had been employed effectively in previous battles like Amiens and Vimy Ridge, involved a rolling wave of artillery fire that moved forward at a set pace, just ahead of the infantry. The Canadians had become highly skilled in executing this technique, and Currie saw it as essential for breaking through the German defenses at Arras. Historian Pierre Berton observed, “Currie’s creeping barrage was a calculated dance, an orchestration of fire and movement that shielded his troops from harm while forcing the enemy to retreat” (Vimy).
Canadian Units and the Initial Assault: August 26, 1918
On August 26, 1918, the Canadian Corps launched its assault on German positions near Arras, with the 1st and 2nd Canadian Divisions leading the attack, supported by the 3rd and 4th Divisions. The assault began under the cover of darkness, with artillery providing a smokescreen and the creeping barrage advancing ahead of the Canadian infantry. This surprise attack caught the Germans off-guard, allowing the Canadians to penetrate the German forward positions quickly.
The Canadians faced fierce resistance as they advanced. The German defenders, well-entrenched and equipped with machine guns, inflicted heavy casualties on the Canadians. However, the Canadians pressed forward with remarkable determination, using the cover provided by the creeping barrage and the support of tanks to neutralize machine-gun nests and capture key positions. Historian C.P. Stacey described the scene: “The Canadians moved forward as if in a deadly symphony, each soldier knowing his place in the assault, each advance a step toward the collapse of the enemy’s defenses” (A Very Double Life).
The 1st Canadian Division, advancing on the right flank, captured several key positions along the Scarpe River, securing a foothold that allowed the subsequent divisions to exploit the breach. The 2nd Canadian Division, on the left flank, encountered stiff German resistance but managed to capture German outposts and secure positions that would be crucial for the final assault on the Drocourt-Quéant Line. By the end of the first day, the Canadians had advanced several kilometers, a significant achievement that set the stage for the battle’s next phase.
Breaking Through: The Assault on the Drocourt-Quéant Line
On September 2, 1918, Currie ordered the Canadian Corps to begin its assault on the Drocourt-Quéant Line itself. This line was heavily defended, with fortified trenches, concrete bunkers, and overlapping fields of machine-gun fire. The Germans were determined to hold this position, recognizing that a breach here would leave them vulnerable and force a general retreat.
The Canadians approached the Drocourt-Quéant Line with a massive artillery barrage, one of the most intense of the war. Over 900 artillery pieces bombarded German positions, targeting machine-gun nests, barbed wire, and other defensive structures. Under cover of this barrage, the 3rd and 4th Canadian Divisions advanced in tightly coordinated waves, supported by tanks and air cover. The tanks, though still prone to mechanical failures, were invaluable in clearing paths through barbed wire and providing cover for the infantry. Historian Tim Cook noted, “The Canadian advance at Drocourt-Quéant was a study in relentless pressure, each step forward a blow against an enemy whose defenses were crumbling before their eyes” (Shock Troops).
The fighting was brutal, with Canadian soldiers engaging in close-quarters combat to clear German trenches and bunkers. The 4th Canadian Division, on the left flank, encountered particularly fierce resistance, as German machine-gun emplacements and sniper positions inflicted heavy casualties. Despite these challenges, the Canadians pushed forward, using rifles, grenades, and bayonets to drive the Germans from their positions.
The 2nd Canadian Division played a pivotal role in breaking through the Drocourt-Quéant Line, capturing a series of fortified positions and cutting through barbed wire that had previously stopped other assaults. By the end of September 2, the Canadian Corps had successfully breached the Drocourt-Quéant Line, forcing the Germans to abandon their defenses and retreat. This breakthrough was a devastating blow to German morale, as it marked the collapse of a defensive line that had been considered impenetrable.
The German Retreat and the Aftermath of the Battle
The breaching of the Drocourt-Quéant Line forced the Germans into a hasty retreat. The Canadians, seizing the opportunity, pursued the fleeing German forces, capturing hundreds of prisoners and seizing large quantities of equipment. The victory at Arras was a significant psychological blow to the German Army, which now faced the prospect of further Allied advances into its remaining defenses along the Hindenburg Line.
The Canadians continued to press forward in the days following the battle, consolidating their gains and preparing for the next phase of the Hundred Days Offensive. The success at Arras demonstrated the effectiveness of Currie’s tactics and the Canadian Corps’ ability to execute complex operations with precision and discipline. Historian G.W.L. Nicholson wrote, “The Canadians at Arras had shattered one of the strongest points in the German line, a victory that spoke to their skill, their resilience, and their unbreakable will” (Canadian Expeditionary Force: 1914–1919).
Casualties and the Human Cost
The Second Battle of Arras, though a decisive victory, came at a steep cost. The Canadian Corps suffered approximately 11,000 casualties during the battle, including many killed and wounded. These losses were deeply felt within the ranks, as the Canadians were well aware of the toll that the Hundred Days Offensive was exacting. Yet, the soldiers remained resolute, driven by the belief that each battle brought them closer to the end of the war. Pierre Berton captured the somber pride of the Canadian soldiers, writing, “Arras was a victory earned through blood and sacrifice, a triumph that cost dearly but brought the end within reach” (Vimy).
For the Germans, the loss of the Drocourt-Quéant Line was catastrophic. It forced them to abandon one of their most fortified positions, shattering their defensive strategy and leaving their forces exposed. The psychological impact of this defeat contributed to the growing despair within the German Army, as soldiers and commanders alike recognized that they could no longer hold the line against the relentless Allied advance.
Legacy of the Battle: The Role of the Canadian Corps
The Second Battle of Arras underscored the pivotal role of the Canadian Corps in the Allied war effort. Under Currie’s leadership, the Canadians had proven themselves as one of the most effective and reliable forces on the Western Front. Their ability to break through the Drocourt-Quéant Line demonstrated their tactical skill, discipline, and unwavering commitment to the Allied cause. Currie’s approach, which emphasized preparation, coordination, and minimizing casualties, became a model for Allied operations in the final months of the war.
The success at Arras also strengthened Canada’s national identity. Canadian soldiers were no longer seen as mere colonial troops but as an elite force capable of achieving strategic objectives that eluded others. The victory contributed to a growing sense of Canadian pride and independence, a sentiment that would shape Canada’s role in international affairs after the war. Historian Desmond Morton reflected, “Arras was a place where Canada emerged not just as a participant, but as a leader, a nation defined by its courage and its sacrifice” (When Your Number’s Up).
Conclusion: Arras and the Path to Victory
The Second Battle of Arras was a decisive moment in the Hundred Days Offensive, a battle that marked the beginning of the end for the German Army on the Western Front. The Canadians’ success in breaching the Drocourt-Quéant Line demonstrated their strategic importance and solidified their reputation as one of the finest fighting forces of the war. Under Currie’s leadership, the Canadian Corps achieved a victory that was both a tactical and psychological blow to the Germans, setting the stage for the final push toward victory.
For Canada, the legacy of Arras endures as a symbol of courage, resilience, and national pride. The battle stands as a testament to the skill and determination of Canadian soldiers, who faced formidable odds and emerged victorious. In the words of C.P. Stacey, “Arras was Canada’s moment of glory, a victory that showed the world the strength of a young nation forged in the fire of war” (A Very Double Life).
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.