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The Battle of Cambrai was a British effort to break the stalemate on the western front through the use of a new weapon, the tank. The British had great hopes for the tank, which had been specially designed in order to end the bloody trench warfare in France and win the war for the allies. The British surprised the Germans by using the tanks to spearhead the assault on the Hindenburg Line in the Cambrai region. The British had some initial success but ultimately the battle ended in their defeat. This article will discuss why the British even with their new wonder weapon, suffered a defeat at the Battle of Cambrai in November-December 1917. It will show that the British failed to anticipate several challenges and the Germans ability to adapt their tactics, meant that the British army failed to achieve its goals.

==Preparation for the Battle==

By late 1917 many German Generals had open contempt for the tank. They believed that it was virtually useless on the battlefield. Despite this, the German began to build their own tanks. The British, especially the officers of the Tank Corps continued to promote the use of the tank. One of these officers was Lieutenant-Colonel John Fuller and he argued that they should be used in large formations and on dry and open ground. General Haig, initially rejected the suggestions but when it became apparent that the Third Battle of Ypres was a failure, the British High Command became desperate for some success.