Battles & Campaigns · 1918
Battle of St Quentin Canal
Bellenglise, Aisne, France
What happened
The St Quentin Canal was part of the Hindenburg Line, Germany's strongest defences. American and Australian divisions attacked in the centre and pushed forward after hard fighting. To the south, the British 46th Division crossed the canal cutting near Bellenglise and Riqueval and reached its goals on time.
Why it matters
It made the first full break through the Hindenburg Line. With other Allied attacks, it convinced the German high command there was little hope of winning.
What came next
By 10 October the Hindenburg Line was fully broken, and the Armistice came on 11 November 1918.
Did you know?
British soldiers led by Captain A. H. Charlton captured the Riqueval Bridge before the Germans could blow it up.
Timeline
- 27 Sep 1918Battle of the Canal du Nord begins.
- 29 Sep 1918Battle of St Quentin Canal begins.
- 5 Oct 1918The Hindenburg defences are broken along a 19-mile front.
- 11 Nov 1918Armistice.