In January 1918 following the decision that the British should take over more of the Allied front line, General Sir Hubert Gough’s Fifth Army moved south to take over from the French Army facing the Hindenburg Line; a front of 42 miles including some 9 miles of trenches around Saint Quentin. The British Army was notably under strength as, for political reasons, the Government was unwilling to release some 400,000 men held in regimental depots in England. With hindsight it is easy to see that there could be no realistic prospect of stemming the German attacks particularly on this front. The inadequate defences, shortage of manpower and new procedures did not raise confidence in the outcome. In the event on the morning of the 21^st March 1918 helped by misty conditions, the British defenders fighting bravely during the following days, were slowly pushed back all along the front, finally making a stand almost 40 miles to the rear at Villers - Bretonneux.

Taking over from their French comrades facing the Hindenburg Line on the outskirts of Saint Quentin in January 1918, the British set about strengthening the defence line. A new system was constructed in that a series of redoubts or strong points were set up at strategic positions in the front line and designated the Forward Zone. Behind and named the Battle Zone, additional strong-points were erected extending some 4000 yards behind the Forward Zone. It was envisaged that this would be the area in which the attacking German forces would be brought to battle and defeated whilst the redoubts in the Forward area would remain bypassed pending relief by counter-attacks, but would, in the meantime prove formidable outposts continually harassing the enemy. The British Divisions involved were the 24^th, 30th, 36^th (Ulster) and 61^st.

Eight Forward Zone redoubts were strung out round Saint Quentin facing the city and the Hindenburg Line, being given names such as Manchester Redoubt (on the site of Manchester Hill), Jeanne D’Arc Redoubt. in the Forward Zone and Goodman Redoubt in the Battle Zone.

The misty conditions of the 21^st March hampered the British defenders, for the attacking Germans assisted by a heavy artillery barrage were upon the trenches almost without warning. Fighting stubbornly, the redoubts held out as best they could, Manchester Redoubt held by the 16^th Manchesters was amongst many where the troops fought to the bitter end. But by the morning of the 23^rd March the defenders had been forced into retreat with a victorious German army in pursuit.

In the face of this humiliation someone had to be held responsible. Thus, on the 28^th March in what has been described as "undeserved disgrace", General Sir Hubert Gough was relieved of his command, General Rawlinson taking over with the Fifth Army being renamed the Fourth Army.

Meanwhile Saint Quentin, with its citizens deported, remained under German occupation. It would do so for several more months.