batt The Battle of

C A M B R A I The Contribution of the Chinese Labour Corps

Cambrai

FRANCE

1917

NOVEMBER

201917

DECEMBER

8

19 British Infantry Divisions

Cambrai marked the first large-scale, effective use of tanks in battle, and changed warfare forever.

1000 Artillary Guns

900,000 Rounds for Day 1 5 Mounted Cavalry Divisions

478 TANKSFor three weeks Chinese labourers worked around the clock, providing most of the labour to ensure the Tank Corps was fully equipped and battle ready.

Once the FASCINE was released into the TRENCH the TANK could then cross it... in theory.

The Chinese Labourers’ part was indespensible.

75-100 = + x

300 Aircraft

Made 350Fascines+ release mechanisms

=

In the workshop up to 70 Chinese labourers were responsible for camouflaging* British tanks.* Camouflaging technique is for illustration only, we’ve no idea how it was actually done.

@ww1clc

They Restored

Out-of-ServiceTanks

170

EnsuringWeRemember.org.uk

Filling an acute shortage of skilled labour, 2 Companies of the Chinese Labour Corps, 1,000 men, joined the Tank Central Workshop.

Produced by volunteers, paid for by donations. Feedback welcome, but be nice please!Published by the Chinese in Britain Forum, charity number 096542 , on behalf of the Ensuring We Remember Campaign

“NO LABOUR, NO FASCINES, NO FASCINES, NO TANK BATTLE.”

Member of the First World War Centenary Partnership led by IWM. Registered charity no. 096542, limited company no. 03298764.

Cambrai: The First Great Tank Battle, 1917 - AJ Smithers.

labourer approx. to

scale.

Created 110 Large Tank Sledges

Birds definitely

NOTto scale.