Arras.
GOOGLE MAPS Arras
The ruins of Arras, 30 April 1917. (IWM Q 5268)
Arras is a city in France that was about 10 kms behind the British lines. A number of battles were fought in the vicinity notably the Arras Offensive in April 1917; but also in 1914, when the town was re-captured from German occupation, and 1918, during the Kaiser Offensive and 100 Days. About three quarters of the city was destroyed from shelling and aerial bombardment.
1916 – May – German Offensive at Vimy Ridge 21-28 April 1916
1917
Arras Offensive. 9 April – 16 May 1917
The Arras Offensive, along with the Somme and Third Ypres, was one of the major British offensives. The battle front was either side of the River Scarpe from near Queant in the south to beyond Lens in the north. The main objective was to support a French assault at the Chemin des Dames and the River Aisne. The Offensive was fought between 9 April–16 May 1917.
Battles of the Scarpe 1917 – the battleground was astride the River Scarpe – GOOGLE MAPS.
Phase 1 Vimy Ridge and First Battle of the Scarpe 9-14 April 1917.
Vimy Ridge Canadian troops successfully captured, at heavy cost, the Ridge at the northern end of the battle front; now the site of The Vimy Memorial (CWGC).
Men on the Gates at the First Battle of the Scarpe 9-14 April 1917
- Tilloy les Mofflaines. 5 Bn King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. 9-10 April 1917
- 19 Bn Manchester Regiment. 9-14 April 1917
- 10 Bn West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales’s Own). 14 April 1917
This Phase was successful. The high ground at Vimy Ridge was captured and a week later the advance would continue in the south along the Scarpe.
Phase 2
Second Battle of the Scarpe 23-24 April.
Men on the Gates at the Second Battle of the Scarpe. 23-24 April 1917.
- Fampoux. 10 Bn Royal Fusiliers. 23-24 April 1916.
- Coisilles and Fontaine lez Coisilles. 2 Bn Royal Welsh Fusiliers. 23-24 April 1917.
Battle of Arieux 28-29 April
Third Battle of the Scarpe 3-4 May
By 4 May the Offensive ground to a halt. German forces had regrouped and British lines were becoming over extended. The attack did not succeed and both sides consolidated their new positions.
Other Men on the Gates were killed during and immediately after the Arras Offensive
- Arras. Mont St. Eloi. 10 Bn Canadian Infantry. 1 May 1917.
- Monchy le Preux. 7 Bn King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. 1-14 May 1917.
- Bailleul-Sir-Berthoult. 1 Bn Cheshire Regiment. 8 May 1917.
- Wancourt. 1/5 Bn Cheshire Regiment 9 May 1917
- Monchy le Preux. 2 Bn South Wales Borderers. 19 May 1917
June 1917
November 1917
1918
May 1918 – Kaiser Offensive. Operation Georgette.
1918
August 1918 – 100 Days Offensive – During the 100 Day Offensive British forces advance to the Hindenburg Line, which at Arras was named the Drocourt – Queant Line. Operations began on 26 August with fighting along the River Scarpe.
END