CAMBRAI

(Rom. Camaracum), tn., Nord, France (50° 10’ N., 3° 12’ E.), on r. bk. of Scheldt; important junction on main line of Northern Ry.; linen fabrics, cambrics, also copper working, brewing, distilling, tanning, and soap; seat of archbishop; cathedral of Notre Dame with tombs of Fénelon and Dubois, former archbishops. League of Cambrai formed here 1508. On retreat from Mons British fought delaying battle between town and Le Cateau, Aug. 25-6, 1914; town taken by Germans; an important center of roads and railways, it became natural base of supplies for the Siegfried line. In Nov. 1917 heavy fighting to the W. during first battle of Cambrai (see below). In final Allied advance the line CambraiSt. Quentin was of vital importance to the Germans, who defended it desperately; defenses broken Sept. 27-9, 1918; entered by Canadian troops and 57th Division night of Oct. 8-9; badly damaged by retreating enemy; is to be rebuilt by Algiers. Pop. 15,000. Battle of Cambrai (Nov. 20-Dec. 7, 1917).— While Italy was struggling on the Piave and Ger. troops were being moved W. from Ru ia, Sir Douglas Haig decided to strike in direction of Cambrai while main Ger. forces were concentrating in Flanders. Battle that followed famous for large use made of Tanks with cavalry support; fought by 'Byng’s 3rd Army between BapaumeCambrai road and Scheldt Canal, near Banteux; object to pierce defenses of Siegfried system of Nord and Scheldt canals for 5 or 6 m. Bourlon Wood, commanding position overlooking W. approaches to Cambrai, was to be surp ed, also Marquion, where Arras and ambrai road and railway cro Nord Canal amidst marshes; cavalry then to _ break through, but capture of Cambrai no part of original scheme. Tanks concealed in Havrincourt Wood. Battle _ began 6:20 A.M. on Nov. 20; 180 tanks went forward, followed by infantry and ist, 2nd, 4th and 5th Cavalry Divisions. Main. Siegfried lines carried; advance made of 444 m, Delay at. Mesquiéres and Masniéres allowed enemy to send reinforcements, and cavalry did not break through. Flesquiéres. captured following day, and British reached outskirts of Mcoeuvres and Bourlon Wood; all efforts against ney and Crévecoer fruitle ; original plan had failed, but action continued as infantry battle; reinforcements sent up. Bourlon village and Fontaine-Notre-Dame taken and retaken; towards end of month signs of Ger. counter-attack in strength; Nov. 30, the enemy struck with sixteen fresh divisions, and Jarge part of Brit. line -overwhelmed; Germans employing their new ‘infiltration’ tactics; 29th Division at Gonzeaucourt made gallant stand, and Guards Division recovered place; continuous line re-formed; Germans made no further headway. Battle served to divert Ger. troops from Italy. British gained 16 sq. m., including 7 m. of the Siegfried system. Batile of Cambria-St. Quentin, Sept. 27-Oct. 5, 1918, marked fourth stage of final offensive that helped to end the World War. By Sept. 26 British were again facing portion of Hindenburg system, which Germans had fortified with every known device as their main defense in France. Attack on CambraiSt. Quentin front part of series of converging offensives from Meuse valley to Flanders. Morning of Sept. 27 right wing of Horne’s ist Army and_ Byng's 38rd Army opened the attack. In front stretched the Nord Canal, with marshes on either side, and on the far side wide belts of wire commanded by numberle machine guns on the high ridges cro ed. by Quesnoy Wood and the yillage of Oisy - leVerger; Germans held high ground acro the Sensée marshes, N. flank of Brit. position. This was captured by 11th Division, which, after cro ing canal, spread out fanwise and carried Oisy-le-Verger and Quesnoy Wood from reverse side. Canadians also cro ed, and near Bourlon joined hands with other divisions. Siegfried line carried along the whole front attack; 10,000 prisoners and 200 guns; British now close to Scheldt Canal at Marcoing; this cro ed, and only part of Ger. defenses now resisting were from Vendhuille to Holnon, with the Scheldt Canal stretching acro front, not only difficult obstacle, but a safe shelter for enemy reserves. This section, after most desperate fighting, carried; advance was continued next day, compelling general retreat of enemy behind the Scheldt Canal. On Oct. 1 the French entered St. Quentin. Four more days of ceasele fighting ensued, in which British, Americans, and French in turn won tinct i on. On Oct. 5 the final line ‘impregnable’ Siegfried system Cambrai had been outflanked, and entered, night of Oct. 8-9, by troops of the Ist Army from the and by the 57th Division of Army from the &.