61st Division had arrived in the Cambrai area on 30 November to assist in the defence against the German counter-attacks. Concentrating west of Havrincourt Wood, during the afternoon of 1 December they were assigned to III Corps and moved forward to relieve the survivors of three divisions: Guards Division, 12th (Eastern) Division, and 20th (Light) Division holding the village of La Vacquerie on Welsh Ridge. The 182nd and the 183rd Brigades took over the front line, the 184th Brigade forming a reserve. Holding the position until forced out of the village on 4 December, the division was relieved by 36th (Ulster) Division on 5 December, having suffered 1,916 casualties during its time at Cambrai.
