 Positioned on high ground between the <unk> and <unk> Rivers , Le Quesnoy was a medieval town that had been fought over several times in previous centuries . It guarded a natural approach across plains to the north @-@ east and had fortress walls with ramparts designed by Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban , a 17th @-@ century military engineer . A moat surrounded the town and was in fact two distinct ditches , with 20 – 30 @-@ foot ( 6 @.@ 1 – 9 @.@ 1 m ) high fortifications , effectively an outer rampart , separating them . The town could be entered by three roads , guarded by gates . Le Quesnoy had a population of 5 @,@ 000 and had been in German hands since August 1914 . The Germans also held the Cambrai railway line to the west of Le Quesnoy , and had a strong presence in the area around the intersection of the Valenciennes – Cambrai railway lines , immediately to the north @-@ west of the town . 
