Bourlon and Bourlon Wood. From The Tank Corps by Major Clough Williams-Ellis & A. Williams-Ellis.
The Bapaume-Cambrai Road.12. L.O. 28.57º Bourlon & Wood2.12.17.10.
"During the night [of November 23–24, 1917], the first snow fell, making communications even more difficult. Then came the incessant rain. It was in these conditions that all the tanks which had been in action were ordered back for re-fitting, leaving only twelve of 1 Battalion available for the following day. These were to attack Bourlon village at noon with the 121st Brigade of 40th Division. During the morning, this time was changed to 3:00 p.m. Then the IV Corps commander, Lieutenant General Woollcombe, visited the divisional headquarters at Havrincourt and stated that as he thought there were not enough tanks to ensure success, the operation should be postponed until the next day. These orders were sent to all the various brigade headquarters in the Graincourt area, but due to the destruction of telephone lines by enemy shelling, they did not reach 121st Brigade until it was too late. The attack had started."
On November 24, 1917, the Battle of Cambrai was in the fourth day of what had been intended battle of not more than three days. The British had taken much of Bourlon Wood south of the village of Bourlon. British commander Douglas Haig still looked to unleash his cavalry.
The Battle of Cambrai by Brian Cooper, page 168, copyright © Bryan Cooper 1967, publisher: Stein and Day, publication date: 1968
1917-11-24, 1917, November, Battle of Cambrai, Cambrai, Bourlon Wood, Bourlon
