| The
battle of le Cateau was the last of the old style
'one day' battles. Following the BEF's defeat in its
first battle of the war at Mons, the British fell
back to the south pursued by the Germans. Just after
dawn three confused days later, on the anniversary
of the battle of Crecy, von Kluck's army caught Smith-Dorrien's
tired II Corps at le Cateau. Smith-Dorrien decided
to stay and to fight - against the orders of Sir John
French the C in C. After a morning's battle the retreat
continued. British casualties were about 8,000 men
and 38 guns. German casualties are estimated at 9,000.
The
battlefield tour takes two and a half hours and can
be based around the town of Cambrai. Among the many
visits are the International Cemetery and the grave
of the poet Wilfrid Owen whose mother learned of his
death on the day that the Armistice was declared.
Detailed information on memorials and actions, as
well as travel directions is accompanied by an in-text
map. |
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