Julian Hedworth George Byng Vimy, 1st16 September 1916
Haig reinforces Byngs command with the entire Tank Corps
Great Britain · Warfare / World War, 1st. Chronological records rendered directly from the World History Database.
Haig reinforces Byngs command with the entire Tank Corps
In Britain news of the initial spectacular breakthrough served to greatly enhance Byngs reputation; and it resulted in the ringing of church bells in Britain for the first time during the war. During the battle casualties were high, the Germans suffered losses of approximately 50,000 and the British 45,000
Approves the plan for the offensive on the plain of Cambrai
& 14 newly formed squadrons of the Royal Flying Corps.
A forerunner of the blitzkrieg tactics employed to great effect by the German army during the Second World War, the attack is not preceded by a preliminary bombardment, helping to ensure complete surprise
Demonstrates the potential of the tank. Commands the 3rd Army during the Cambrai Offensive.
Lieutenant Colonel John Fuller recommended wide-scale use of tanks on the dry battlefield sited between the Canal du Nord and the St.
Quentin Canal, the proposal is taken up by Julian Byng, Commander on the ground. launched at dawn with all available tanks advancing across a 10 km front, 476 tanks are accompanied by six infantry and two cavalry divisions (to exploit any breakthrough), plus 1,000 guns
Within hours the lightly defended Germans are forced back 6 km to Cambrai, the three trench systems of the Hindenburg Line pierced for the first time in the war. Lieutenant Colonel John Fuller recommended wide-scale use of tanks on the dry battlefield sited between the Canal du Nord and the St. Quentin Canal, the proposal is taken up by Julian Byng, Commander on the ground
German reinforcements stop the Allied advance to Cambrai & regain lost land by Nov 30. 6 KM are gained
Authorizes the Allied attack by the BEF against the Hindenburg Line
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