By the end of March 1918 the German attack “petered out” for want of supplies; by the end of May it again did likewise for a similar reason. Had the Germans possessed on March 21 and May 27 5,000 to 6,000 efficient cross-country tractors, each of which could have carried five tons of supplies, all the hosts of brave men, which the United States of America could have poured into France, could not have prevented a separation of the British and French Armies from being effected. Had such a separation taken place it is impossible to say what the result might not have been; but what is possible to say is that had the Germans “scrapped” half their guns and replaced them by cross-country tractors they would have gone nearer winning the war than they did.
With the close of the battle of Cambrai the British Army abandoned the offensive, which had been initiated on April 9, and a period of passive defence was developed. At this time all three Tank Brigades had assembled at or near Bray-sur-Somme, where extensive hutments existed and where the old devastated area offered excellent facilities for training. Towards the end of December a request was made by the Tank Corps to establish at Bray a large tank and infantry school, so that co-operation between these two arms might be secured; further, as artillery ranges were near at hand it was felt that a complete tactical unity of action between tanks, infantry, artillery, and aeroplanes could now be established: besides this, Bray formed an excellent strategical centre to the Somme area should the Germans at any time launch an attack between the Oise and the Scarpe.
Early in January 1918 orders were, however, received that in place of remaining assembled at one spot the Tank Corps was to form a defensive cordon stretching from about Roisel to a little south of Bethune--a frontage of some sixty miles. In February this line was taken up, tank units being distributed as follows:
Fifth Army, 4th Tank Brigade 1st Bn. Doingt wood. „ „ H.Q. Templeux La Fosse 4th Bn. Buire wood. „ „ 5th Bn. Buire wood. Third Army, 2nd Tank Brigade 2nd Bn. Velu wood. „ „ H.Q. Thilloy 8th Bn. Fremicourt. „ „ 10th Bn. Fremicourt. „ „ 3rd Tank Brigade 6th Bn. Wailly. G.H.Q. Reserve, H.Q. Henincourt 3rd Bn. Bray. „ „ 9th Bn. Bray. „ „ 5th Tank Brigade 13th Bn. Bray (unequipped). „ „ H.Q. Bray. First Army, 1st Tank Brigade 7th Bn. Boyeffles. „ „ H.Q. Bois d’Olhain 11th Bn. Bois des Alleux. „ „ 12th Bn. Bois de Verdrel.