Commemorating the attack on Riqueval Bridge : one of the greatest battles fought by the British Army

8 October 2018

The attack on the St Quentin Canal was one of the greatest battles ever fought by the British Army.

Once taken, on 29 September 1918, the Riqueval Bridge became a vital supply line over the St Quentin Canal for artillery, tanks, trucks and men.

  • Hear about the daring attack by Captain Charlton to take the bridge with nine men.
  • Hear about the assault by the 46th (North Midland) Division.
  • Hear what made the Battle of St Quentin Canal so crucial.
  • Discover how the Hindenburg Line was broken.
  • Know why this success had the German Commander Erich Ludendorff conclude that the War was now lost.

This video features interviews with Captain Charlton's grandson, military historians and some of today's retired former commanders of the Staffordshire Regiment who together piece together this remarkable story and important historical event.

Interviews with: 

Brigadier Jim Tanner : Staffordshire Regiment Museum

Major Edward Green (Ret'd) : Staffordshire Regiment Museum

Dr John Bourne : Military Historian

David Charlton : Royal Canadian Navy (Ret’d) [Grandson of Captain Charlton D.S.O.]

Professor Gary Sheffield : The Western Front 

Riqueval Bridge Collage V
Battle of St. Quentin Canal. Brigadier-General John Vaughan Campbell VC addressing men of the 137th Brigade (46th Division) on the Riqueval Bridge over the St. Quentin Canal (part of the German's Hindenburg Line) which they crossed on 29 September 1918. (c) IWM (Q 9535). At left the interviewees.

Taken soon after the capture of Riqueval Bridge, this photograph shows Brigadier Major-General John Campbell addressing the multitude of British soldiers on the bank of the St. Quentin Canal.

Read More:

>> How 30,000 Life-Jackets were found

>> The Final Offensive 

Latest news

Fryatt
19 July 2026

Fryatt exhibition comes to Ypres for 110th anniversary

Read more
Iln Crop
16 July 2026

Drawn on the Western Front: Paul Sarrut and the Indian Army

Read more
Saxifrage2 Iwm Edit
12 July 2026

One of the Great War’s last three warships to be scrapped

Read more
447962 Edit
4 July 2026

Deep Heritage: cathodic protection for Dardanelles wrecks

Read more
USCGC Tampa (Ex Miami)
4 July 2026

Discovery of USCGC Tampa

Read more
AMP26 0611 FIND Compacted Material From Hessian Sandbags In Trench 1 2 E1781256968487 816X627
24 June 2026

Surprise discovery of practice trenches at Ampthill recalls a Bedfordshire training camp

Read more