Battle of Albert (1918)
Encyclopedia
Battle of Albert (August 21 - 22, 1918) was the third battle by that name fought during World War I
, following the First Battle of Albert
, and the Second Battle of Albert
, with each of the series of three being fought roughly two years apart. This smaller third battle was significant in that it was the opening push that would lead to the Second Battle of the Somme, and heavily involved the New Zealand Division
, formed after the disastrous Gallipoli campaign. This attack opened the advance, with the main attack being launched by the British Third Army
, with the United States II Corps attached.
The attacks developed into an advance, which pushed the German 2nd Army back along a 50 miles (80.5 km) front line
. On August 22, the New Zealand Division took Albert, with the British and Americans advancing on Arras. On August 29, Bapaume
fell into British and American hands, which resulted in an advance by the Australian Corps
, who crossed the Somme River
on August 31 and broke the German lines during the Battle of Mont St. Quentin
. Ultimately, the overall battle resulted in the German Army being pushed back to the Hindenburg Line
, from which they had launched their spring offensive.
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, following the First Battle of Albert
Battle of Albert (1914)
The Battle of Albert began on September 25, 1914 as part of the Race to the Sea during World War I. It directly followed the First Battle of the Marne and the First Battle of the Aisne as progress toward advancing the trench lines to the sea continued....
, and the Second Battle of Albert
Battle of Albert (1916)
The Battle of Albert, 1 July – 13 July 1916, was the opening phase of the British and French offensive that became the Battle of the Somme.-Haig's desire to break through versus Rawlinson's "bite and hold":...
, with each of the series of three being fought roughly two years apart. This smaller third battle was significant in that it was the opening push that would lead to the Second Battle of the Somme, and heavily involved the New Zealand Division
New Zealand Division
The New Zealand Division was a World War I infantry division formed in Egypt in January 1916 following the evacuation of Gallipoli. At the outbreak of war the New Zealand Expeditionary Force contained a single infantry brigade which was combined with the unattached Australian 4th Infantry Brigade...
, formed after the disastrous Gallipoli campaign. This attack opened the advance, with the main attack being launched by the British Third Army
British Third Army
-First World War :The Third Army was part of the British Army during World War I and was formed in France on 13 July 1915. The battles it took part in on the Western Front included:*Battle of the Somme*Battle of Cambrai*Second Battle of Arras...
, with the United States II Corps attached.
The attacks developed into an advance, which pushed the German 2nd Army back along a 50 miles (80.5 km) front line
Front line
A front line is the farthest-most forward position of an armed force's personnel and equipment - generally in respect of maritime or land forces. Forward Line of Own Troops , or Forward Edge of Battle Area are technical terms used by all branches of the armed services...
. On August 22, the New Zealand Division took Albert, with the British and Americans advancing on Arras. On August 29, Bapaume
Bapaume
Bapaume is a commune and the seat of a canton in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France.-Geography:A farming and light industrial town located 10 miles south of Arras at the junction of the A1 autoroute and the N17 and N30 national roads its location is...
fell into British and American hands, which resulted in an advance by the Australian Corps
Australian Corps
The Australian Corps was a World War I army corps that contained all five Australian infantry divisions serving on the Western Front. It was the largest corps fielded by the British Empire army in France...
, who crossed the Somme River
Somme River
The Somme is a river in Picardy, northern France. The name Somme comes from a Celtic word meaning tranquility. The department Somme was named after this river....
on August 31 and broke the German lines during the Battle of Mont St. Quentin
Battle of Mont St. Quentin
The Battle of Mont Saint-Quentin was a battle on the Western Front during World War I. As part of the Allied counteroffensives on the Western Front in the late summer of 1918, the Australian Corps crossed the Somme River on the night of August 31, and broke the German lines at Mont Saint-Quentin...
. Ultimately, the overall battle resulted in the German Army being pushed back to the Hindenburg Line
Hindenburg Line
The Hindenburg Line was a vast system of defences in northeastern France during World War I. It was constructed by the Germans during the winter of 1916–17. The line stretched from Lens to beyond Verdun...
, from which they had launched their spring offensive.