A hard fought victory secured the Canadians a rare rest. As Archibald MacDonell’s 1st Canadian Division continued to cycle out of the line, they were relieved by elements of the 2nd Division. The relative quietness of the Canadian sector allowed for a reduced presence on the front line, though reinforcements were kept only a stone’s throw away.

Immediately following the conclusion of the Arras campaign, the battered Canadian Divisions were ready to be cycled out of the lines for a period of rest and refit. The evening of September 4th and the morning of the 5th saw the 1st Canadian Division relieved by the 2nd Canadians Division.

The capture of the Drocourt-Quéant Line did not signal the end of operations in Arras. Although the fighting from September 1st-3rd had seen the Canadians capture two pivotal lines and over 8 kilometres of ground, they had failed to penetrate the Canal du Nord.

Through a week of intense fighting, the Canadian Corps had achieved a stunning victory. The Arras campaign had been a success, though it had come at great cost.

After a day of regrouping and resupplying, the Canadian Corp had readied itself for an assault on the Drocourt-Quéant Line.

The German defences were situated on the front slope on Mont Dury, which rose slowly and provided an open field of fire for the German machine guns.

The rapid regrouping of Canadian Corps soldiers did not mean the Corps was incapable of attack. As preparations for an assault on the Drocourt-Queant Line were being drafted, the men of the 3rd Brigade were called into action on the evening of August 31st.

Capitalizing on the past day’s gains, Canadian troops mopped up remaining defences along the Fresnes-Rouvroy Line - including the Ocean Work, a strongpoint that had repelled every attack the day before.

Continuing on with the previous day’s operations, the priority on August 30th, 1918 was capturing the Fresnes-Rouvroy line. Serving as a literal “first line of defence”, the capture of the trench system would allow the Allied forces a strong position from which they could attack the Drocourt-Queant Line, which lay just to the east.

After enduring another day of brutal fighting, the beleaguered 2nd Division was relieved by the 1st Canadian Division, while the 4th British Division swapped spots with the 3rd Canadian Division.

The Battle for the Scarpe was in full swing. Canadian troops had once again made impressive gains through the course of the campaign, and the recently captured towns of Wancourt and Neuville-Vitasse stood as strong “jumping off” positions - however, logistical problems would soon befall the Canadians.