The clock ticked downwards towards the Armistice.

Behind the lines, in the forest of Compeigne, talks of an official armistice to end the First World War had been held. The German delegation, led by Matthias Erzberger, had been given a deadline on which they could agree to armistice terms dictated by the Allies. On the morning of November 10th, a decision had yet to be made.

Since 1915, the British Navy had enforced an embargo on Germany, depriving their people of vital imports of food, fertilizer, and other necessities of life and production. This, combined with the continuous drain of the war effort, had seen growing discontent from German citizenry concerning their quality of life and the feasibility of the ongoing war.

Canadian Forces continued to sweep through the south of Belgium.

The 5th Brigade continued to lead the charge for the 2nd Division. The day’s operations brought them as deep into Belgium as Dour, which was secured by the early evening.

Canadians entered Belgium. French and Belgian civilians who had been trapped in the enemy zone of occupation openly wept when Allied forces passed through their town.

On the southwest hinge of the Canadian line, Henry Burstall’s 2nd Division swept over the border. Burstall had picked the men of the 5th Brigade to act as a spearhead, instructing them to “act with the utmost boldness”.

The push along the Western Front continued. In the north-east of France, Canadian forces incessantly marched after the retreating German Army.

France was nearly back under the complete control of the Allies. Near the Belgian border, Canadians engaged in multiple, battalion level operation aimed at capturing the innumerable villages along their area of the front.

On the Western Front, the remnants of the Imperial German Army were in open retreat. The Canadian Corps kept hot on the German’s heels.

A cold rain washed over the advancing Corps.

Allied forces continued to mount pressure on what remained of the Imperial German Army. Northern France had nearly liberated. German defences in Belgium continued to crumble.

Still, pockets of German resistance remained. The 12th Brigade ran into German defences outside of the village of Quarouble. Fighting would continue there until the next day.

Another Central Power left the war. On November 3rd, 1918, the Austro-Hungarian Government signed the Treaty of Villa Giusti, bringing its involvement in the First World War to an end.

Germany was left alone.

Canadian Corps picked up where yesterday’s efforts left off. The battle for Valenciennes continued.

The previous day’s operations had seen Valenciennes entrapped by Canadian Forces on two sides. To the south, the 46th Battalion had dug in just beside the Canal d L’Escaut, and the 47th Battalion followed suite on the western bank of the canal.

5:15 AM. The crash of an artillery bombardment signals the beginning of the Canadian assault on Valenciennes.

Roaring with power, the initial artillery barrage accurately eliminated enemy strongpoints in and around Mont Houy. Given Valenciennes’ status as a logistical centre with a huge civilian presences, any artillery attacks near the city itself had to have been executed with a surgical accuracy.