Decisive Victory

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The Battle of the Sambre on 4 November 1918 marked a decisive British victory, yet it remains largely overlooked by historians. This battle was the final large-scale engagement of the British Expeditionary Force on the Western Front, occurring just a week before the Armistice. It was comparable in scale to the first day of the Battle of the Somme, involving thirteen divisions and over a thousand guns, with plans for extensive tank support. The German Army aimed to defend key positions, hoping to delay the British advance for a strategic withdrawal to incomplete defensive lines and negotiate a peace in spring 1919. This book is the only dedicated account of the battle, featuring original color maps and a detailed analysis at both operational and tactical levels. It explores the shift from breakthrough tactics to a 'bite and hold' approach, drawing on unpublished archives and over 300 war diaries. Dr. Clayton critically examines the execution of plans, the adaptability of commanders, and the vital role of the Royal Engineers. Key questions about the battle's necessity and its decisive nature are addressed, culminating in new insights regarding its strategic implications, including the demoralization of German forces, which ultimately expedited the armistice.