Key Facts
- Start date
- 29 September 1918
- Allied front width
- 19 km (British Fourth Army sector)
- French First Army front
- 9.5 km coordinated attack south of main front
- Objective achieved
- First full breach of the Hindenburg Line
Strategic Narrative Overview
On 29 September 1918, British, Australian, and American forces of the British Fourth Army attacked on a 19 km front, while the British Third Army supported to the north and the French First Army struck on a 9.5 km front to the south. The assault faced heavy German resistance but succeeded in breaching the Hindenburg Line, though the advance did not follow the planned timetable precisely.
01 / The Origins
By late 1918, the German Army had constructed the Siegfriedstellung, known as the Hindenburg Line, as its most formidable defensive system on the Western Front. In this sector, the St Quentin Canal was incorporated into the defences, creating a significant natural obstacle. Breaking through this line was essential to the Allied Grand Offensive aimed at ending the war before 1919 and collapsing German defensive capacity.
03 / The Outcome
The battle resulted in the first complete breach of the Hindenburg Line, a major strategic blow to Germany. Combined with simultaneous Allied attacks along the entire front during the Grand Offensive, the success persuaded the German high command that the war could not be won. This contributed directly to German requests for an armistice, which was concluded on 11 November 1918.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
3 belligerents
General Sir Henry Rawlinson.
Side B
1 belligerent
Kinetic Engagement Axis
Scroll horizontally to view full axis. Events plotted relatively.