WWI - Scarpe, 1918

First World War

Date

26-30 August 1918

Inspecting German guns captured in the Amiens offensive.

Commander of the Canadian Corps, Lieutenant-General Sir Arthur Currie, inspecting German guns captured in the Amiens offensive, August, 1918.
Credit: Canada. Department of National Defence/Library and Archives Canada/PA-003046 (MIKAN no. 3397919)

Commander of the Canadian Corps, Lieutenant-General Sir Arthur Currie, inspecting German guns captured in the Amiens offensive, August, 1918. Credit: Canada. Department of National Defence/Library and Archives Canada/PA-003046; (MIKAN no. 3397919)

Geographical Parameters

Noreuil (exclusive) – St. Léger (exclusive) – Boisleux-au-Mont – Roclincourt – Bailleul – Oppy

Context

A battle honour incorporating the tactical incident “Capture of Monchy-le-Preux”, formally entitled the “Battle of the Scarpe, 1918”, and itself being part of “The Second Battles of Arras, 19181.

Description

Following the brilliant success of the Canadian Corps (Lieutenant-General Sir A.W. Currie) at Amiens on 8 August 1918, the Corps was moved back north to rejoin First (British) Army near Arras. Later, in mid-August, plans were laid for First Army to attack east toward the German-held Drocourt-Quéant Line, an extension of the Hindenburg Line. The 2nd (Major-General Sir H.E. Burstall) and 3rd (Major-General L.J. Lipsett) Canadian Divisions began the advance on 26 August attacking on a four-mile frontage between the village of NeuvilleVitasse and the River Scarpe. The Canadians quickly captured the villages of Monchy-le-Preux and Guémappe. The Germans subsequently withdrew into the prepared positions of the Drocourt-Quéant Line and the Canadians continued their advance with plans to attack the Drocourt-Quéant Line on 30 August 1918.

Inspecting German guns captured in the Amiens offensive.

Large concrete iron reinforced machine gun post after the capture of the Drocourt-Quéant line. October, 1918.
Credit: Canada. Department of National Defence/Library and Archives Canada (MIKAN no. 3522357)

Major-General Sir Henry Edward Burstall

Major-General Sir Henry Edward Burstall was General Officer Commanding the 2nd Canadian Division. Location unknown. December, 1917.
Credit: Canada. Department of National Defence/Library and Archives Canada (MIKAN no. 3213482)

General Currie

General Currie, Commander of the Canadian troops in France, and A.D.C. Location unknown. June, 1917.
Credit: Canada. Department of National Defence/Library and Archives Canada/PA-001370 (MIKAN no. 3191901)

Major-General L.J. Lipsett

Major-General L.J. Lipsett, commander of the 3rd Canadian Division. Camblain l`Abbé. May, 1918.
Credit: Canada. Department of National Defence/Library and Archives Canada/; (MIKAN no. 3218379)

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