Battle of the Sambre 4th November 1918
The Third and Fourth Armies delivered the final knock-out blow to the German Army when they assaulted the Forest of Mormal and forced the crossing of the Sambre-Oise Canal one week before the Armistice.
This talk concentrates on the southern half of the battlefield where Fourth Army was tasked with crossing the well-defended stretch of canal running south from the town of Landrecies, where infantry units relied to some extent on the ingenuity of the Royal Engineers to get them across the waterway.
There were costly setbacks and examples of supreme valour - seven Victoria Crosses were awarded - before a decisive victory was gained; a victory which expedited the end of the war.
Originally from Yorkshire, Derek taught Modern Languages in three Birmingham schools for thirty-five years until his retirement in 2015. He studied for an MA in British First World War Studies at the University of Birmingham (2004-6) and followed this with a PhD in 2016, his thesis examining the Battle of the Sambre, 4 November 1918. His third book on WW1 ('To Do the Work of Men: An Operational History of the 21st Division') was published in 2023. His next book, analysing the Battle of Hamel, 4 July 1918, will appear in 2026.
We meet once a month on Thursdays evenings at 8.00pm. We ask for a modest donation of £4 on the door (cash only) to defray costs. A bar is available for members to purchase refreshments (card only).
Members and non-members of The Western Front Association are equally welcome.
Any new visitors are guaranteed a friendly atmosphere and a warm welcome from a group of like-minded enthusiasts.
We look forward to welcoming you to our branch meetings.
(Branch Chairman)
