When the Canadian Corps moved from the Ypres Salient to the Somme River region at the beginning of September 1916, its first major action was the Battle of Flers-Courcelette - a two-army assault launched by Sir Douglas Haig on September 15.

In the offensive that began at dawn, the Canadian Corps assaulted on a two-kilometre front near the village of Courcelette.  Advancing behind a creeping barrage (a tactic only recently adopted by the artillery), the infantry was aided by the ‘new engine of war’, the armoured tank, which frequently threw the enemy into complete confusion. 

The next major attack on the Schwaben Redoubt started on September 26. 

This time the objective was to capture the western part of the ruins of the village, and then the Schwaben Redoubt itself which was about half a mile beyond the village.  The attack was assisted by two of the early tanks. 

The next major attack on the Schwaben Redoubt started on September 26. 

This time the objective was to capture the western part of the ruins of the village, and then the Schwaben Redoubt itself which was about half a mile beyond the village.  The attack was assisted by two of the early tanks.