Land Battles - Amiens | Canada and the First World War

The **Battle of Amiens,**fought from **August 8 to August 11, 1918,**, was a pivotal engagement during World War I that marked the beginning of the **Hundred Days Offensive**, a series of successful Allied attacks leading to the eventual defeat of Germany.

The battle is particularly noted for its effective use of combined arms tactics, including infantry, artillery, tanks, and cavalry. It also included the horse that Germans could not kill during WWI - Warrior's story has been celebrated in literature, movies, and art. Alfred Munnings painted Warrior during the war, capturing his legacy as an equine hero. His life inspired various narratives about the bond between soldiers and their horses during wartime. One of the infamous battles he partook in during a cavalry charge in the Battle of Amiens.


## Key Facts about the Battle ###

**Strategic Context** - The battle was initiated following a series of failed German offensives in 1918, which had exhausted their forces and weakened their position on the Western Front. Having regrouped and reinforced their ranks with fresh American troops, the Allies sought to exploit this vulnerability[1][3]. - Allied commanders executed a carefully planned surprise attack, misleading the Germans about their true intentions through deceptive maneuvers and feigned weaknesses in their lines[2][4].

### **The Attack** - The assault commenced at **4:20 AM** on August 8, with over **900 Allied guns** opening fire in a rolling artillery barrage that achieved complete surprise[2][3]. - The initial advance saw Canadian and Australian forces break through German defenses, capturing significant territory (approximately **13 kilometers**) on the first day[1][4].

### **Cavalry's Role** - Cavalry units were deployed to exploit breakthroughs rapidly. They advanced alongside tanks and armored cars to seize key positions and disrupt German communications and reinforcements[1][2]. - Despite the effectiveness of the cavalry charge in the initial stages, coordination issues arose later in the battle due to mechanical failures and increasing German resistance as reinforcements arrived[2][5].

### **Casualties and Impact** - Allied forces suffered approximately **19,000 casualties**, while German losses were estimated at around **75,000**, including significant numbers taken prisoner[2][3][4]. - The battle had profound psychological effects on both sides; German commanders described it as the "black day" of their army, leading to a loss of morale and confidence in their ability to win the war[3][5].

### **Aftermath** - The success at Amiens set the stage for further Allied offensives that would ultimately lead to the end of World War I. It demonstrated the effectiveness of new military tactics and technologies, marking a shift in warfare strategies that would influence future conflicts[4][6]. The Battle of Amiens is a testament to Allied cooperation and innovation during World War I, showcasing how strategic planning and combined arms operations could lead to decisive victories against an entrenched enemy.

Citations:

[1] https://www.warmuseum.ca/firstworldwar/history/battles-and-fighting/land-battles/amiens/.
[2] https://encyclopedia.1914-1918-online.net/article/amiens-battle-of/
[3] https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Amiens
[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Amiens_(1918)
[5] https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/amiens-1918-victory-on-the-somme
[6] https://nzhistory.govt.nz/war/western-front-1918
[7] https://www.awm.gov.au/visit/exhibitions/1918/battles/amiens
[8] https://www.nam.ac.uk/explore/cavalry-western-front