Bapaume, 1918

First World War

Date

24-25 March 1918

Geographical parameters

The river Somme to Bray: thence road to Albert – Martinsart – Sailly-au-Bois – Monchy-au-Bois – Arras: thence the river Scarpe

Context

A battle honour formally entitled “First Battle of Bapaume” and itself being part of “The First Battles of the Somme, 1918.^{Footnote 1}

Description

The Honour “Bapaume, 1918” was awarded to Canadian units for delaying actions they undertook during the German Spring Offensive. Canadian involvement was by batteries of the 1st Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade and some companies of railway troops which found themselves caught up in the British retreat and were placed into the line to act as infantry. The batteries of the Machine Gun Brigade with their armoured cars called “Motors” were moved rapidly to this area to help cover British formations that were falling back. These units were highly mobile and could be moved quickly to help formations in need of machine gun cover.

Awarded to:

Currently serving units

• The Algonquin Regiment
  Awards to the 228th Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 5/31) and The Algonquin Regiment (GO 88/31)
• The Royal Canadian Hussars (Montreal)
  Awards to the 1st Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade, CEF (GO 110/29) and the 1st Motor Machine Gun Brigade (GO 110/29)

Disbanded unit

• 1st Canadian Pioneer Battalion, CEF
  Award to the 1st Canadian Pioneer Battalion, CEF (GO 88/31)