Showing posts with label Valenciennes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Valenciennes. Show all posts

Friday, 2 November 2018

Valenciennes Falls


Saturday 2nd November 1918

As your correspondent predicted, yesterday's attack by Third Army and the Canadian Corps of First Army continued today and has been a triumphant success. The enemy evacuated the town of Valenciennes and has abandoned the line of the Schelde. This complete success comes despite the setbacks of yesterday and, I hear, has cause meticulous planning for an assault in a few days time to be wasted as the enemy have already abandoned the positions which were to be attacked! As a junior officer quipped to me earlier today - "Tally ho!"

We hear today of another Franco-American attack on the Meuse-Argonne Front which began yesterday. The Americans, we are told were completely successful, far out-distancing their French allies and advancing six miles.




Thursday, 1 November 2018

Encircling Valenciennes


Friday 1st November 1918

After the attack yesterday by 2nd Army, today has seen an attack by Third Army and the Canadian Corps of First Army with the intention of encircling the town of Valenciennes and of outflanking the Schelde. The boxer on the ropes threw a few tired punches and one of them landed, halting the advance after initial success. Nevertheless to quote the song popular with the army "Are we downhearted? No!" The attack will resume tomorrow.