British postcard of a British pilot and observer with their mascot, a small dog, in their plane and ready for their flight over the German lines.
Ready for a flight over the German lines; a British pilot and observer with their mascot
"On the following day [the enemy] commenced to withdraw also from the east bank of the Somme, south of Péronne, and by the night of September 8 was holding the general line Vermand—Epehy—Havrincourt, and thence along the east bank of the Canal du Nord.The withdrawal was continued on the front of the French forces to our right.Throughout this hasty retreat our troops followed up the enemy closely. Many of his rearguards were cut off and taken prisoner; on numerous occasions our forward guns did great execution among his retiring columns, while our airmen took full advantage of the remarkable targets offered them. Great quantities of material and many guns fell into our hands."
The ongoing attacks by the Allies did not allow the Germans time to consolidate their positions, forcing them to fall back repeatedly in attempts to hold a defensive position. The Allies increasingly commanded the air, and bombed and strafed ground forces, in some cases turning a retreat into a rout.
The Tank Corps by Clough Williams-Ellis & A. Williams-Ellis, page 238, publisher: The Offices of "Country Life," Ltd. and George Newnes, Ltd., publication date: 1919
1918-09-08, 1918, September, Canal du Nord, pilot observer and dog ready,
