In spring 1917 the Germans launch Operation "Alberich" and fall back on the "Hindenburg Line" between Arras and Vailly-sur-Aisne, a "newly built and massively fortified" defence line. The Germans who were consolidating their troops for possible further offensive operations.
When the Germans withdrew, they applied the strategy of burned earth,Lines of communication, roads, bridges, trees, houses were destroyed to slow down the progress of the Allied troops towards the new front line. "The Germans had destroyed everything, took most of the civilians, and left booby-traps, snipers and a few other unexpected surprises.
The new defensive position, called the Hindenburg Line by the Allies, actually consisted of several lines with different German names. The section between Arras via Cambrai to Saint-Quentin was christened the Siegfried Stellung.
Ecoust Saint Mein, the forest of Croisilles and the Hindenburg line. The battlefields of Arras, Bullecout, Bapaume, Péronne, Cambrai and ....
