Pursuit to the Selle

Battle of the Selle
Part of the Hundred Days Offensive of World War I
Date 17–25 October 1918 Location Selle River, France Result Allied victory
Belligerents
British Empire  Canada  New Zealand  Union of South Africa  United Kingdom	German Empire
Commanders and leaders
Henry Horne Julian Byng Henry Rawlinson	Erich Ludendorff
Strength
1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th armies

 British Empire

The Battle of the Selle, (October 17–25, 1918) was a battle between Allied forces and the German Army, fought during what is known as The Last Hundred Days of World War I.

After the Battle of Cambrai, the allies advanced almost 2 miles (3.2 km) and liberated the French towns of Naves and Thun-Saint-Martin. Although the capture of Cambrai was achieved significantly quicker than expected and with moderately low casualties, German resistance north-east of the town stiffened. By 11 October, the Fourth Army had closed up upon the retreating Germans near Le Cateau, with the Germans taking up a new position, immediately to the east of the Selle River. General Henry Rawlinson was faced with three problems: crossing the river, the railway embankment on the far side and the ridge above the embankment. The decision was made to commence the assault at night and as the river was not so very wide at this point, planks would be used for the soldiers to cross in single file. Later, pontoons would be required for the artillery to cross the river. Field Marshal Douglas Haig, aware that the Germans were near exhaustion, initiated a series of operations designed to get British troops in strength across the river and clear a way for a move against the Sambre–Oise Canal, a further 5 miles (8.0 km) to the east.

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