By late September 1918, it was becoming clear that the Imperial German Army had rotten to the core. The failed Spring Offensive of 1918 had cost the Germans roughly 800,000 casualties - and though they had penetrated deep into Allied lines and inflicted heavy casualties, no strategic areas had been captured. The Allies had barely withstood the onslaught; but like a recoiled spring, they were primed to explode outwards and bring an end to the First World War.

Capitalizing on the success of the previous day’s launch of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, Allied Forces began another critical campaign in the Arras region.

The Canadian Corps under General Arthur Currie kicked off their long-planned assault on the Canal du Nord.

All along the Western Front, the Allied Forces prepared themselves. Within the next 24 hours, two great Allied offensives would kick off, aimed at finishing the First World War.

In an attempt to recover lost ground, the German Army launched two strong counter-attacks at the British positions at Moeuvres and Epehy. Despite the strength of oncoming attackers, elements of Henry Rawlinson’s 4th Army stood resolute, and neither town fell back into German hands.

In an effort to shatter the outlying defended of the Hindenburg Line, French and British forces combined in a joint assault on German positions just outside St. Quentin.

As a linchpin of the St. Quentin - Cambrai Line, capturing St. Quentin stood as a priority on the Western Front. Piercing the Hindenburg Line was the ultimate goal for the Allies on the Western Front.

A week of warfare had seen the Allies achieve 3 major breakthroughs. In Bulgaria, the Vardar Offensive had shattered the line and driven back German and Bulgarian Forces. By September 23rd, the combined force of French, Serbian, and British forces had effectively routed the Central Powers, forcing a retreat along a 100 mile front.

Canadian Forces continued to rest, as new recruits and reinforcements made their way to Canadian camps. The past 52 days, though immensely successful, had cost the Canadians almost 12,000 casualties. The Corps were in desperate need of fresh blood to replace these losses, and to continue the fight against the German Army.

No rest was allotted to Allied Forces, as they continued their fight against the German Army on the Western Front.

Re-establishing a position at Moeuvres allowed for operations to continue, but the attack the day before had left the British short of ammunition, food, and reinforcements. Any attacks would be under-strength, with a lesser chance of success, so operations were suspended for the day.

The First World War raged on. As Allied High Command prepared for their coming offensives, front-line units continued to chip away at German forces.

The British Expeditionary Force had stabilized the line at Epehy. With their position secured, British forces went over the top. Building on the previous day’s success, they captured the village of Lempire, just a few hundred metres south-east of Epehy.

The Canadian Corps’ continued their period of rest, while the remainder of the Allies continued the fight.

The village of Epehy stood as a strongpoint on the Hindenburg Line, in a similar fashion to St. Quentin and other fortress towns.