Battle Story: Cambrai 1917

The Battle of Cambrai has become synonymous with one of the Allies' first large-scale use of tanks on the Western Front. Cambrai certainly saw over 450 Mark IV tanks lumber across No Man's Land and penetrate the Hindenburg Line. For the Germans on the one side of these defences the sheer scale of these 'iron monsters' was terrifying, however they quickly rallied and the battle was about much more than the tanks deployed. Chris McNab explores how new techniques of sound-ranging and artillery strategy played a greater part on the battlefield than the tanks which have dominated the history of the battle. At dawn on 20 November 1917 over 1,000 guns fired on German positions and 400 tanks and thousands of men stepped out into the barren land between the trenches. At first, it seemed that success was inevitable, with over 5 miles of ground gained - a significant amount for such an operation, however on the first day of battle 180 tanks were out of action and the attack began to flounder. After days of attack and counterattack, both sides had gained ground, but no definitive success and with over 70,000 casualties. Yet, Cambrai was an important training ground for both sides, proving the effectiveness of new tactics that would lead to greater victories later in the war.

Auteur

CHRIS McNAB is a writer and editor who specialises in military history and technology. He is an author of many internationally bestselling books on weapons and warfare, including titles in the Battle Story series on Verdun and Cambrai, as well as The World War I Story (all The History Press) i, as well as The Great Book of Guns; How to Survive Anything, Anywhere; The Illustrated History of the Vietnam War; Modern Military Uniforms; The SAS Mental Endurance Handbook; and Special Forces Survival Guide.

Résumé
Cambrai 1917 was the battle that sowed the seeds of future combined-arms tank and infantry warfare, while remaining a battle of singular drama in its own right. If you truly want to understand what happened and why read Battle Story. Detailed profiles explore the background of the generals of the two opposing forces, as well as what made up the average German and British soldier. First-person, contemporary sources bring the reader into the world of the Battle of Cambrai and show what it was like to be in the thick of battle. Detailed maps highlight key points in the battle and the surrounding area. Photographs place you on the front line of the unfolding action. Orders of battle reveal the composition of the two opposing forces' army in detail. Packed with fact boxes, this short introduction is the perfect way to explore this important battle.