CANAL DU NORD — 108th Anniversary

The Canal du Nord presented the Canadian Corps with one of the most formidable obstacles of the final campaign of 1918. The unfinished canal, its steep banks, belts of wire and prepared German positions barred the route toward Cambrai. At 5:20 a.m. on 27 September the Canadian assault began under a tremendous barrage. In the 3rd Brigade plan, the 14th Battalion crossed first and captured the initial objective, the 13th followed through toward Marquion, and the 15th Battalion then advanced through them to seize the final Blue Line. The Highlanders crossed the canal and moved through the bridgehead, with companies assigned to clear trench systems, shell-hole positions and the Marquion Line before pressing to the final objective. The operation demanded precise timing as thousands of men, guns, engineers and supplies were funnelled through a narrow crossing area under enemy fire. By exploiting the breach and driving beyond the canal defences, the Canadians opened the road toward Bourlon Wood and Cambrai. For the 15th Battalion, Canal du Nord was another major assault in a remarkable sequence of battles during the Last Hundred Days, fought only weeks after Amiens and Drocourt-Quéant.

Source: Kim Beattie, 48th Highlanders of Canada 1891-1928, Chapter XXIII, “Over the Canal du Nord,” and the 15th Battalion CEF Memorial Project. Battle Honour period used for the calendar: 27-28 September 1918.