The Battle of the Canal du Nord, fought from September 27 to October 1, 1918, was one of the most daring and strategically complex operations undertaken by the Canadian Corps during the First World War. Part of the Hundred Days Offensive, this battle demonstrated the tactical ingenuity and operational flexibility of Lieutenant-General Sir Arthur Currie and his Canadian forces, who overcame formidable obstacles and defenses to achieve a significant breakthrough in the German line. Facing a heavily fortified canal that served as a natural barrier, Currie devised a plan that combined surprise, precision, and innovative use of terrain. Historian Tim Cook noted, “At Canal du Nord, the Canadians led an assault that would break the back of German defenses, showing the Allies that no position was impregnable when faced with determination and skill” (Shock Troops).
Strategic Importance of the Canal du Nord
By late September 1918, the Allies were steadily advancing along the Western Front, forcing the German Army into a defensive retreat. The Canal du Nord, part of a complex system of canals and defensive lines, was a critical obstacle in the path of the Allies. This canal, though unfinished, ran from the north of France toward Cambrai, and its banks offered a natural defensive position that the Germans had fortified with barbed wire, machine-gun nests, and artillery emplacements. The Germans believed this canal would delay the Allied advance, giving them time to regroup and establish new defensive positions.
Capturing the Canal du Nord was essential for the Allies to continue their push toward Cambrai, a key logistical hub for German forces. However, the canal itself posed a formidable challenge. Its banks were steep, and the canal was wide, making a direct assault a difficult and costly endeavor. Historian Desmond Morton remarked, “The Canal du Nord was a formidable barrier, a test of both courage and ingenuity, where the Canadians would have to overcome not just the enemy but the land itself” (When Your Number’s Up).
Currie’s Tactical Planning and Innovation
Lieutenant-General Arthur Currie, known for his meticulous planning and innovative approach, understood that a frontal assault on the Canal du Nord would result in heavy casualties. Instead, he proposed a more audacious plan that would exploit a gap in the German defenses along a dry section of the canal. Currie’s plan involved concentrating his forces in this narrow sector, crossing the dry canal bed, and then fanning out to attack the fortified German positions beyond.
Currie’s approach required precise timing and coordination, as the Canadian forces would have to cross the canal in a narrow column and then quickly deploy into battle formations on the other side. This tactic, known as a “bottleneck attack,” was risky, as it concentrated forces in a confined space, leaving them vulnerable to artillery fire if detected. However, Currie believed that the element of surprise and the narrow sector would allow his forces to overwhelm the German defenders before they could respond effectively. Historian G.W.L. Nicholson described this plan as “a masterstroke of tactical brilliance, one that showcased Currie’s faith in his soldiers’ discipline and skill” (Canadian Expeditionary Force: 1914–1919).
Currie’s plan called for an intense artillery barrage to cover the Canadian advance, using a creeping barrage that would move forward in timed intervals, protecting the advancing infantry from German machine-gun fire. Additionally, he coordinated with British and Australian forces on the flanks to ensure that the Canadian assault would be part of a broader Allied offensive, preventing the Germans from concentrating their defenses solely on the Canadians.
Canadian Units and the Assault: September 27, 1918
The assault on the Canal du Nord began in the early hours of September 27, 1918, with the 1st and 4th Canadian Divisions leading the initial crossing. The Canadian artillery unleashed a ferocious barrage, targeting German positions along the canal and in the surrounding areas to suppress enemy fire. The 3rd and 2nd Canadian Divisions were held in reserve, ready to exploit any breakthrough achieved by the lead divisions.
The Canadians advanced quickly, taking advantage of the dry section of the canal to cross in narrow columns. As they moved across, the Germans began to realize the scale of the assault and attempted to bring artillery fire down on the canal bed. However, the speed and coordination of the Canadian advance minimized casualties, allowing the lead units to cross the canal and establish bridgeheads on the other side.
The 1st Canadian Division, under Major-General Archibald Macdonell, encountered stiff resistance from German machine-gun nests positioned along the canal banks. Despite this, the division pressed forward, using hand grenades and close-quarters combat to clear German positions. Historian C.P. Stacey wrote, “The Canadians at Canal du Nord moved with a ruthless determination, each soldier a part of Currie’s carefully orchestrated plan” (A Very Double Life). The 4th Canadian Division, advancing on the right flank, secured key positions that enabled the follow-on forces to expand the bridgehead and prepare for the next phase of the battle.
Securing the Bridgehead and Expanding the Assault
After establishing the initial bridgehead, the Canadians faced the daunting task of widening their foothold and pushing deeper into German-held territory. Currie’s plan required that the bridgehead be expanded rapidly to prevent the Germans from launching counterattacks that could push the Canadians back across the canal. The 2nd and 3rd Canadian Divisions were brought forward to reinforce the lead divisions, advancing under continuous artillery support.
The 2nd Canadian Division, under Major-General Henry Burstall, faced fierce resistance from well-entrenched German units that had regrouped and attempted to halt the Canadian advance. The division employed combined-arms tactics, with artillery, infantry, and tanks working together to neutralize German strongpoints. The tanks, though limited by the rough terrain and occasional mechanical failures, provided valuable cover for the infantry, allowing them to advance through areas that would have otherwise been impassable.
The 3rd Canadian Division, advancing to the north, engaged in brutal trench-to-trench fighting, using bayonets and grenades to clear German positions. Historian Tim Cook noted, “At Canal du Nord, the Canadians fought with a relentless energy, each advance a step closer to breaking the German line” (Shock Troops). The fighting was intense, with high casualties on both sides, but the Canadians pressed forward, driven by Currie’s determination to secure a decisive victory.
Breakthrough and German Retreat: September 28 – October 1, 1918
By September 28, the Canadian Corps had succeeded in breaching the German defenses along the Canal du Nord, forcing the Germans to abandon their positions and retreat. The Canadians pursued the fleeing German forces, capturing hundreds of prisoners and seizing large quantities of equipment. The breach of the Canal du Nord had shattered one of the last major defensive lines in front of Cambrai, and the German forces were left scrambling to establish new defensive positions.
Currie continued to push his forces forward, pressing the advantage and aiming to capture Cambrai. The rapid advance of the Canadian Corps prevented the Germans from regrouping effectively, and by October 1, the Canadians had advanced several kilometers beyond the canal, securing key positions that would enable the next phase of the Allied offensive. Historian Pierre Berton described the scene: “The Canadians at Canal du Nord had broken through not just a canal but a line of defense that Germany had relied upon, paving the way for the final victories of the Hundred Days” (Vimy).
Casualties and the Cost of Victory
The Battle of the Canal du Nord was a significant victory, but it came at a steep cost. The Canadian Corps suffered over 10,000 casualties during the battle, including many killed and wounded. The high casualties were a reminder of the relentless nature of trench warfare and the price paid by those who fought for each inch of ground. Currie’s careful planning and tactical innovations had minimized losses, but the battle remained a costly endeavor.
For the German Army, the loss of the Canal du Nord and the forced retreat from Cambrai were devastating. The defeat shattered their defensive capabilities in the region and contributed to a growing sense of despair within the German ranks. The psychological impact of the defeat was profound, as it became clear that the Allies were capable of breaking through even the most formidable defenses.
Legacy of the Battle: Canadian Innovation and Leadership
The success at the Canal du Nord underscored the tactical skill and resilience of the Canadian Corps, as well as the innovative leadership of Arthur Currie. Currie’s decision to exploit the dry section of the canal, combined with his emphasis on coordination and surprise, demonstrated his understanding of modern warfare and his willingness to adapt to the battlefield’s unique challenges. Historian G.W.L. Nicholson wrote, “At Canal du Nord, Currie turned a natural obstacle into an advantage, showing once again that he was a master of maneuver and innovation” (Canadian Expeditionary Force: 1914–1919).
The battle also reinforced the growing independence and reputation of the Canadian Corps. No longer merely a part of the British Army, the Canadians had proven themselves as a distinct and elite force, capable of leading major offensives and achieving objectives that had eluded others. This legacy of skill, determination, and independence would shape Canada’s military identity and its role in global affairs for decades to come.
Conclusion: Canal du Nord and the Path to Victory
The Battle of the Canal du Nord was a triumph of strategy, innovation, and courage. For the Canadian Corps, it was a victory that showcased their tactical acumen and their ability to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Under Currie’s leadership, the Canadians breached a critical section of the German line, setting the stage for the final push toward victory in the Hundred Days Offensive.
In the words of historian C.P. Stacey, “The Canadians at Canal du Nord crossed not only a canal but the threshold to victory, their courage and skill leading the way for the final collapse of the German defenses” (A Very Double Life). The legacy of the Canal du Nord endures as a symbol of Canadian bravery, resilience, and tactical brilliance, a moment when the determination of a young nation’s soldiers helped bring an end to one of the deadliest conflicts in history.
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.