Shock Army of the British Empire: The Canadian Corps in the Last 100 Days of the Great War / Edition 1

by Shane B. Schreiber

Overview

This book is an operational history of the Canadian Corps in the battles of the final 100 days of World War I, beginning with the battle of Amiens, August 8, 1918, and culminating in the retaking of Mons on November 11, 1918, only hours before the war ended. During the late summer and autumn of 1918, the Canadian Corps, under Lt. Gen. Sir Arthur Currie, played a crucial role in the defeat of the German Army on the Western Front. This work examines the operational, organizational, and tactical innovations developed by the Corps during this campaign and their subsequent effect on military thought. Six battles are examined for their planning, conduct, and lessons: the Battle of Amiens, the breaking of the Drocourt-Queant line, the Canal du Nord and Cambrai, the pursuit to Valenciennes, the storming of Mount Huoy, and the returban to Mons.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780275955137
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	06/25/1997
Series:	Praeger Series in War Studies
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

SHANE B. SCHREIBER, an infantry officer in the Canadian Army, is currently on regimental duty with the Third Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry in Edmonton, Alberta. He is a graduate of both the War Studies Program at the Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston, Ontario, and of the Canadian Land Forces Command and Staff College.

Table of Contents

Foreword by John A. English
Abbreviations
Introduction
"Prelude": Background
The Orchestra and Its Conductor
The Overture: Amiens, 8 August 1918
"Concerto Grosso": Breaking the Drocourt-Queant Line
"Intermezzo": The Pause Before the Canal du Nord
"Magnum Opus": Storming the Canal du Nord and the Battle of Cambrai
"Allegretto": The Pursuit to Valenciennes
"Coda": Mount Huoy to Mons
"Postlude": Aftermath
"Fine": Conclusions
Appendix: "Policy as to Command of Artillery Units during Offensive Operations"
Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

Examines the Canadians' set-piece battle operations and the adoption of new technology as part of the British offensive in France from August to November 1918. Queries why the operational and tactical doctrine was so successful, and finds that it was not the slavish application of doctrine but a pragmatic and sometimes innovative approach to the unique problems they faced. Suggests lessons to be applied to modern high-intensity land operations, especially offensives. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

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