Staffordshire’s Territorials and the Breaking of the Hindenburg Line

A famous photograph shows Brigadier General John Campbell, VC addressing the victorious troops sat on the banks of the St Quentin Canal. What is the story?

The 137th Staffordshire Brigade - part of the 46th (North Midland) Division - spearheaded the attack in this area on the Hindenburg line on 29 September 1918: this was one of the most remarkable actions in the Great War.

David Lloyd George called the battle the greatest chapter in our military history; it was a fine military victory but it’s one that is often overlooked.

The Staffordshire Battalions involved in the battle were the 1st/5th South Staffords (a Walsall battalion) and the 1st/6th South Staffords (a Wolverhampton battalion). The 1st/6th North Staffords had recruited in Burton-on-Trent but had absorbed a good number of men from the Potteries when the 1st/5th North was broken up in January 1918. 

Commissioned by the Staffordshire Regiment Museum and financed by the Heritage Lottery Fund, this documentary was made by 'Inspired Film and Video' to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the breaking of the Hindenburg Line. The film pays tribute to their bravery and sacrifice during this important battle of the First World War.