Cambrai Tank 1917

About the museum

The Cambrai Tank 1917 is an interpretation centre devoted to the Battle of Cambrai, fought from November 20 to December 7, 1917. It is in Flesquières, at the entrance to the village, close to where the British tank Deborah D51 was knocked out on November 20, 1917. The raw-concrete building recalls a Hindenburg Line bunker in its architecture and opened in March 2018.

Deborah D51 is a Mark IV heavy tank weighing 28 tonnes, one of the 476 tanks deployed in the British offensive against the Hindenburg Line. Buried after the war, it was found and uncovered in November 1998 following research by the historian Philippe Gorczynski, with the support of the regional archaeology service and the archaeology department of the City of Arras. The Association du tank de Flesquières was set up in 1998 to preserve it, and the tank has been listed as a historic monument since September 14, 1999.

The route begins in an introductory room, where a film, animated maps and period photographs trace the offensive. Visitors then discover Deborah D51, surrounded by combatants’ belongings and remains recovered with the tank, followed by the story of its crew. A film in the auditorium explores traces of the battle in the Cambrésis. The nearby British military cemetery, where four crew members rest, and the Franco-British Garden of Peace complete the visit.

Highlights

• The Mark IV tank Deborah D51, listed as a historic monument
• Introductory room with animated maps and photographs of the Battle of Cambrai
• Combatants’ belongings and remains recovered with the tank
• Auditorium film on traces of the battle in the Cambrésis
• British military cemetery and Franco-British Garden of Peace next door

Permanent exhibitions

• La bataille de Cambrai – Introductory room with film, animated maps and period photographs tracing the British offensive of November 1917.
• Le tank Deborah D51 – Mark IV tank found underground in 1998, displayed with combatants’ belongings and the story of its crew.

Founded

2018

Operated by

Communauté d'agglomération de Cambrai

Admission & discounts

Free admission: The first Sunday of every month.

Schools in the Communauté d’agglomération de Cambrai benefit from free transport and free admission. Booking is compulsory for any school group, even for a self-guided visit.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

A lift gives access to the lower level. A car park reserved for people with reduced mobility is available on site.

Kids & families

A family package at €20 is offered.

Getting there & parking

The centre is in Flesquières, about 10 km from Cambrai, at the entrance to the village, 16 rue du Calvaire.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Toilets in the centre. The shop sells books for adults and children, souvenirs, games and treats on the themes of the First World War, tanks and the Cambrésis.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit