MANUFACTURE
“October 9.
“A penetration of over six miles has been made towards Le Cateau, and in the area gained, twenty-six villages have been occupied.
“Tanks again co-operated.
“Shortly after midnight our troops commenced the attack N. of Cambrai, capturing Ramillies and securing a bridgehead over the Escaut Canal at Pont D’Aire.
“The whole of Cambrai was occupied this morning....
“Air reports state that there is great confusion on roads N.E. and S.E. of Le Cateau, and that our low-flying scouts have been shooting at record targets....
“The number of prisoners taken in yesterday’s attack by the British Armies amounted to 6300, and by the French in the St. Quentin area 1200. No detail yet received of captures to-day.”
The Battle of Cambrai-St. Quentin was at an end, and the Hindenburg Line had now to all intents and purposes ceased to exist, broken as it was on a front of nearly thirty miles.
Before the whole British forces in France, from north of Menin to Bohain, seven miles north-west of Guise, open country stretched, uncut by trench, unhung by wire. The time for exploitation had arrived.