In the previous blog post “Tip of the Sword on the Arras-Cambrai Road” one of the positions on the disposition map was conjectured to be a strong-point that was created from an existing structure. Evidence has come to light that indicates that the units of the 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade, comprising the 18th and, possibly … Continue reading Strong-Point on the Arras-Cambrai Road
Tactics
Tip of the Sword on the Arras-Cambrai Road
Appendix 16 of the September 1918 18th Battalion War Diary is described as “Disposition Sketch 18th Bn. on the 21st”. It is directly related to Battalion Operational Order No. D.242 dated September 20, 1918 detailing the relief by the 18th Battalion of the 21st Battalion in the “left front-line” on the night of the 2th … Continue reading Tip of the Sword on the Arras-Cambrai Road
Battle Patrol Report December 1917
December 1917 found the 18th Battalion in the Acheville Sector. The general level of activity for the Battalion was a marked change from the hell of Passchendaele and the war diary gives the impression that both the Canadian and German units in this sector had hunkered down for December and were not overly interested in … Continue reading Battle Patrol Report December 1917
The Best Rest in Many Moons: A Letter by Major Sale
Major Sale was an active and influential member of the Goderich, Ontario community as a dentist. He was active in the Canadian Militia with the 33rd Regiment and joined the 18th Battalion as a captain shortly after its inception in October 1914. He served his Battalion diligently and was earned a promotion to major in … Continue reading The Best Rest in Many Moons: A Letter by Major Sale
Rifle Grenades Revisited
In a post entitled "The narrow escapes that some fellows have are nothing short of marvellous": A Letter from the Front the, then, Private Caldwell relates in some detail a battle between the 18th Battalion, C.E.F. and it opposite German numbers: "Our last term in the front line was rather exciting. Our bomb throwers had been … Continue reading Rifle Grenades Revisited
