SELLE, BATTLE OF THE

In the autumn of 1918 the Germans, after the lo of Cambrai. took up a front along the small riv. Selle, a trib. of the Scheldt, from Le Cateau to S. of Denain (Oct.). The British stormed Le Cateau, Oct. 10, which four years previously had been the scene of Smith-Dorrien’s stand against overwhelming odds. Hindenburg and Ludendorff did their utmost to defend a front which protected Valciennes and the lateral railway to Metz. During the following three days the Ger. rearguards were driven from the villages N. and W. of Solesmes, and the bridgeheads on the E. bank S. of Le Cateau at Neuvilly and Briastre were enlarged. The enemy unsucce fully counter-attacked with infantry and tanks, Oct. 13. Four days later, General Rawlinson’s army struck on a 10 m. front south of Le Cateau. The British, advancing with the 30th and 27th American divisions, met with an obstinate resistance. It was only after two days of heavy fighting that the Aisne-Oise canal S. of Catillon and the valley of the Richemont N. of that village were reached. This attack half turned the line of the Selle from the S. On the 20th the Brit. 3rd Army, together with the 4th Division of the Ist Army on the left of the line, was ready for the direct attack N. of Le Cateau. Two other small streams, the Ecaillon and the Rhonelle, had to be cro ed. During the night bridges were thrown acro , and with difficulty on the slippery ground tanks were got to the E. bank. Against stubborn resistance the troops seized the high ground as far as Denain. The main a ault was delivered on the 23rd on a 15m. front between Mazinghien and Maison Bleue, N.E. of Hau y, by thirteen divisions drawn from the 4th and 3rd Armies. Unfavorable weather made it difficult to locate the German batteries, and there were severe encounters in many villages and woods, particularly at Vendegies and Ecaillon, which held out till the following day. On the 22nd the wastern outskirts of the Forest of Mormal were reached, and the British were within a mile of Le Quesnoy. The line of the Selle had fallen. In the battle over 20,000 prisoners were taken and 475 guns.