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WWI

How Did Hundreds of Tanks Suddenly Appear at the Battle of Cambrai?

Direct Answer

At the Battle of Cambrai in 1917, the British tried a new tactic. Instead of a long warning, they sent hundreds of tanks forward at once. The tanks easily rolled over the enemy's barbed wire. It worked very well at first, but the Germans soon returned with a strong counter-attack.

Date

November 20, 1917

Location

Cambrai, France

Outcome

Inconclusive result

Battle

Battle of Cambrai

Quick Facts

First mass tank attack
No warning shots fired
Tanks crushed barbed wire
The success was short-lived
Germany eventually counter-attacked

Countries Involved

United Kingdom Germany

Historical Context

The Great War had been stuck in a stalemate for three long years in France. Soldiers were trapped in muddy trenches that stretched across the entire country. Heavy machine guns and miles of sharp barbed wire made it almost impossible to advance. Many attacks failed and led to huge loss of life on both sides. Military leaders desperately needed a way to break through these strong lines. They turned to a new weapon called the tank to lead the way. It was designed to carry soldiers safely and smash through wire obstacles. This plan was meant to change the slow pace of the war forever.

What Happened?

On November 20, 1917, the British launched a bold surprise attack near the French town of Cambrai. Instead of a long artillery bombardment, they kept their plans secret until the very last moment. Over four hundred British Mark IV tanks roared forward into no-man's land all at once. The tanks easily flattened the thick German wire and crossed the deep enemy trenches. British soldiers followed the machines closely and moved forward several miles in a single morning. This was a massive gain compared to the tiny bits of ground won in previous battles. The German army was completely shocked by the speed and strength of the tank attack. However, the British tanks were slow and soon began to break down from mechanical issues. Many tanks ran out of fuel or got stuck in the deep mud. The British supply lines could not keep up with the fast advance of the troops. German commanders quickly called in fresh reinforcements to block the path of the British army. The Germans launched a strong counterattack to defend their important positions. In the end, the British lost most of the territory they had worked so hard to win. While the battle did not win the war, it proved that tanks could change how battles were fought.

Why Did It Matter?

It was the first time that tanks were used in such large numbers. Even though they didn't win the whole war there, it proved that tanks were the future of fighting.

Forces and Units Involved

Frequently Asked Questions

1Why were the tanks so important during the battle at Cambrai?

Tanks were used to flatten the thick, dangerous barbed wire fences that trapped infantry soldiers. This cleared paths for troops to move safely forward.

2What exactly is an artillery bombardment in a military battle?

It is when teams use large cannons to fire many heavy shells at the enemy. This loud action is meant to destroy enemy positions and clear the path ahead.

3Why was the British tank attack such a big surprise to Germans?

The British did not use a long, loud artillery firing session first. Without that noisy warning, the German troops were caught off guard by the armor.

4Was the battle at Cambrai considered a win for the British?

The British made huge progress at the start of the fight. However, they lost most of those new gains later when the Germans launched a strong defense.

5How fast were these early tanks able to travel on the field?

These early tanks were very slow machines. They could only move at about the same speed as a person walking at a steady, normal pace across the ground.

6What is the area known as no-man's land in a trench war?

It is the dangerous open space of ground sitting between the two enemy trench lines. Soldiers risked their lives whenever they had to cross this area.

7What reasons caused so many of the tanks to stop working?

Many tanks suffered from mechanical failures and broke down. Others became stuck in the soft mud or simply ran out of fuel during the long battle day.

8Did the German army try to counter-attack during the battle?

Yes, they did. The German forces brought in many more soldiers and guns to strike back. This pressure helped them push the British army back again.

9Why did the army decide they needed so many tanks for this?

They needed a large number of tanks to overwhelm the enemy defenses in one single, powerful wave of movement. It was a massive force of iron machines.

10Was this battle the start of modern tank warfare tactics?

Yes, this battle proved that tanks could lead a successful attack against dug-in enemies. It changed how armies thought about fighting future wars.