Western Front: 1918: The Year of Decision
Allied Final Offensive

1. Foch's Plan
2. Operations, September 26-October 31.
   a. Southern Pincer (Meuse-Argonne)
   b.Western Pincer (Cambrai-St.-Quentin)
   c. Flanders offensive
   d. Operations of the French Center
3. German Situation
4. Allied Operations, November 1-11
   a. Allied Attacks from the South
   b. Allied Attacks from the West
5. The Armistice
6. Occupation of Germany

Allied Operations, November 1-11

By November 1, the Allied armies had consolidated their positions, put their supply lines in order, and brought up ammunition and supplies for a continuation of the offensive. Foch's plan of operations for this final phase of his general offensive was substantially the same as his initial plan. The major thrusts would be delivered by the British in the west and the Americans in the south, both being aided by the French armies on their flanks. The British would force the line of the Scheldt, advance to Maubeuge, and press on to capture crossings of the Meuse from Namur to Dinant. If these crossings could be captured before the Germans withdrew from Flanders, they would be pressed against the Dutch border and captured. In the south the rapid seizure of Mezieres and Sedan by the American First and French Fourth armies would, it was hoped, isolate the Germans facing the French center armies.

Allied Attacks from the South

On November 1, in cold, wet weather (which continued along the entire western front until the end of hostilities), Liggett's American First and Gouraud's French Fourth armies attacked astride the Bourgogne Wood. On that day, they advanced 5 miles; on November 2, they drove 6 miles farther, the Americans capturing Buzancy. Constant pressure affected the already low morale of the German troops, who finally broke, offering little resistance. On November 3, the Americans drove 5 miles through the German lines and joined forces with the French Fourth Army beyond the Bourgogne Wood. This advance brought the rail line running southeastward from Sedan within range of American artillery, and it quickly pounded the rail centers of Montmedy and Longuyon, through which the Germans were attempting to withdraw troops and supplies. By November 7, the American 1st Corps had pushed back German rear guards and reached the heights of the Meuse overlooking Sedan, for an aggregate gain of 21 miles since November 1. Gouraud's troops, confronted with the task of breaching strong defenses, and with a greater distance to go, reached the Meuse opposite Mezieres on the evening of November 10. At this juncture, Foch shifted the left boundary of the American First Army to the east of Sedan to allow the French to capture that city, and thus erase the stigma of the disastrous defeat by the Germans there in 1870. The two armies closed up to the Meuse before the armistice on November 11 halted operations.

As the offensive moved northward, the American 3d Corps crossed the Meuse to the east and occupied Dun-sur-Meuse on November 4. Subsequently, three French corps on the left wing of the American Second Army advanced through the hills east of the Meuse, and at the time of the armistice these American and French troops were within 6 miles of Montmedy. On November 10, the American Second Army began an offensive toward Briey, which was halted by the armistice after slight gains had been made.

Allied Attacks from the West

The British also began their final phase of the offensive on November 1. Haig's first task was to force the German defenses of the Scheldt. To avoid the difficult terrain and intricate dike system immediately in front of his forces, he made his principal attack south of Valenciennes, using elements of the British First and Third armies. By the night of November 2, the Canadian Corps had captured the town. On November 4, Haig launched a general offensive on a 30-mile front, which by evening had advanced 5 miles beyond Valenciennes. On the British right, Debeney's First French Army advanced to the north of Guise. The fighting had been bitter, but the Scheldt position had definitely been turned, and German resistance collapsed. Meanwhile, south of Ghent, French and American units of King Albert's force drove the Germans back from the Scheldt, and the Americans captured Oudenaarde (Audenarde) .

The Germans withdrew all along the line, hampered by blocked roads, traffic snarls, a shortage of rail equipment, and Allied air attacks on their retiring troops and transport. On the other hand, the Allied pursuit was slowed because of lengthening supply lines and the methodical demolition of supply routes by the Germans as they withdrew. On November 7, the British entered Bavay; on November 8, Avesnes; and on November 9, Maubeuge. The French armies, following up the advance of the British and Americans on their flanks, took Hirson on November 9. King Albert's troops joined in the pursuit, which now extended along the entire front. Tournai and Renaix (Rouse) were occupied, and a Canadian division entered Mons a few hours before the armistice.