Final
Advance
1 November 1918 |
Following in the northern arm of the
Canada Corps, the 4th C.M.R. made their way through the valley of the
Scarpe River through the Forét de Raismes. The battalion was to
emerge from the forest and aid in attacking across the Canal de l'Escaut
5 km north of Valenciennes. The Germans troops protecting their army's
retreat had flooded the lands west of the canal, and put machine-gun placements
on the eastern side. The approaches appeared insurmountable.
From their camp near Thiers, patrols began searching on the night of November 1st for a crossing. Some used a raft, and others threw down a makeshift bridge. Several emplacements were destroyed and the men returned before morning. The next day, spying a party of enemy setting up machine-guns in a cemetery, a patrol from the 4th made it across the canal, and on hands and knees, crept among the stones for 600 yards before capturing the lot in a surprise attack. |
By November 3rd, the entire battalion crossed the canal, dislodged
the resistance and advanced to the town of Vicq. On the 6th they then marched
through the night over 9 kilometres of damaged rail lines in the race for
the Belgian border. They reached the Honnelle River and attacked more enemy
along the Mons road, eventually reaching the village of Thulin but due
to the rapidity of the advance, they had to wait for artillery to move
up. It never did and they were relieved on the November 7th.
After continuous fighting and marching for 2 straight days and nights,
the battalion took rest until November 10th when they repaired the pock-marked
roads on the march to Mons. The soldiers remarked on the improved conditions
in Belgium, especially that the destruction and famine was less severe
than in France. The factories worked and food was available, yet the people
still praised Canadians as their liberators.
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Mons, Belgium
12 November 1918 |
As the battalion marched into Mons to be billeted, huge celebrations
broke out in town. Up to that point, the men were too shocked and exhausted
to know the impact of their efforts. As the troops met the townspeople,
the reality of The War's end turned their weary march into a jubilant parade.
As the parties merged, town aldermen posted their speeches for all to read,
and addressed the gatherings to give their thanks.
Monsieur Save on the day of the deliverance of Mons gave these words:
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George stayed in Mons for a month . |