<– Part 220 – October 6, 1918 | Part 221 – October 13, 1918 | Part 222 – October 20, 1918

On October 7, after six days surrounded by Germans, the “Lost Batallion” was finally rescued. Only 194 of the 500+ Americans are healthy; the rest casualties. In fact, the Allies only knew the Battalion was there when they received a carrier pigeon with the message, “WE ARE ALONG THE ROAD PARALELL [sic] 276.4. OUR ARTILLERY IS DROPPING A BARRAGE DIRECTLY ON US. FOR HEAVENS SAKE STOP IT.”

The Allies have successfully taken the bridge of the St. Quintin Canal, suffering 25,000 casualties to the German’s 36,000 POWs.

At Cambrai, British forces engaged the Germans on October 8, using the new tactics they have developed, including strategic use of tanks. The German forces, weakened as they were by the wide frontal assault across the entire Allied line, nevertheless were crushed in 3 days. Of the 750,000 British forces, 12,000 were killed, while the Germans lost 10,000 of their 180,000. The Allies have now broken through the Hindenburg Line. British General Henry Rawlinson wrote, “Had the Boche [Germans] not shown marked signs of deterioration during the past month, I should never have contemplated attacking the Hindenburg line. Had it been defended by the Germans of two years ago, it would certainly have been impregnable….” The severe hit to German morale indicates to the Allies that the war can be won by year’s end, rather than the original plan of a massive final assault in 1919.

Follow the collapse of enemy power in the Balkans, and the surrender of Bulgaria, Allied forces have begun the liberation of Serbia, Albania, and Montenegro. In Palestine, following the capture of Damascus October 1, the British Desert Mounted Corps of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force are pursuing the remnants of the Ottoman army.