The Battle of Amiens, from August 8th to August 11th, 1918, was a pivotal engagement during
World War I. It was a coordinated attack between British, Canadian, Australian,
and French forces against German troops. The battle is widely regarded as the
beginning of the Hundred Days Offensive, ultimately leading to the war's end.
Background
The Battle of Amiens occurred in
northern France, near the Somme River. The area had been the site of intense
fighting during the earlier battles of the Somme and the Battle of Arras in
1917. The German army had constructed an extensive network of trenches and
defensive positions, which made it difficult for the Allies to make significant
gains.
In the spring of 1918, the Germans
launched a series of offensives to break the stalemate and win
the war before American troops could arrive in significant numbers. These
offensives, collectively known as the Spring Offensive, were initially
successful but ultimately failed to achieve their objectives.
Planning and Execution
The planning for the Battle of
Amiens began in July 1918. General Sir Henry Rawlinson, commander of the Fourth
Army, was tasked with developing a plan of attack that would break through the
German lines and create a gap in their defenses. Rawlinson worked closely with
his French counterpart, General Ferdinand Foch, to coordinate the attack with
French forces in the area.
The plan called for a massive
artillery barrage, followed by a swift advance by infantry, cavalry, and tanks.
The tanks would play a crucial role in the attack, as they could traverse the
rough terrain and destroy German machine-gun nests and other defensive
positions.
The attack began on the morning of
August 8th with a surprise artillery barrage that caught the Germans off
guard. Over 1,000 guns fired for several hours, targeting German trenches,
artillery positions, and communication lines. The storm was followed by an
advance by infantry and tanks, which quickly overran the German front line.
The German troops were caught by
surprise, and many were taken prisoner as they attempted to retreat. The
British and Canadian troops made significant gains, with the Australians and
French supporting the flank attack. By the end of the first day, the
Allies had advanced up to eight miles and had taken over 5,000 German
prisoners.
The attack continued for three days, with the Allies progressing despite heavy casualties.
The German army could not mount a significant counterattack, as their
communications had been disrupted by the initial artillery barrage. By August
11th, the Allies had advanced over ten miles and had taken over 13,000 German
prisoners.
Aftermath
The Battle of Amiens was a
significant victory for the Allies, as it had achieved its objectives of
breaking through the German lines and creating a gap in their defenses. The
battle also demonstrated the effectiveness of the combined use of
artillery, infantry, cavalry, and tanks.
The success of the Battle of Amiens
set the stage for the Hundred Days Offensive, ultimately leading to
the war's end. The Allies continued to make significant gains throughout
August and September, with the Germans retreating and surrendering in large
numbers.
The Battle of Amiens was a turning
point in the war and is widely regarded as the beginning of the end for
Germany. It was also a significant morale boost for the Allies, who had
suffered through years of trench warfare and stalemate. The battle demonstrated
that the Allies could launch large-scale offensives and win
significant victories.
References
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