Arras, Battles of

I

Introduction

Arras, Battles of, five major engagements fought between military forces of the Allied and Central powers during World War I in and around Arras, administrative centre of the department of Pas-de-Calais in northern France and a strategic railway junction.

II

First Battle of Arras

Fought during September and October 1914. German troops occupied the town on September 1. French forces recaptured and began to fortify it on September 18. Heavy German counter-attacks throughout October were repulsed, but on October 24 the French were forced to yield Vimy Ridge, a strategic location about 16 km (about 10 mi) north of Arras.

III

Second Battle of Arras

Also called the Battle of Artois, fought during June and July 1915. It began as a French offensive to relieve German pressure on the town. The fighting was severe, and by June 23 most of the German trenches and dugouts before Arras had been captured. Early in July the French cleared the communications between Arras and Béthune and captured the nearby towns of Souchez and Neuville-Saint-Vaast. The number of French casualties resulting from the first two battles of Arras was 113,000. German losses were approximately the same.

IV

Third Battle of Arras

Fought during April and May 1917. Sir Douglas Haig, commander of the British Expeditionary Forces in France, had decided to capture Vimy Ridge in advance of a general offensive against Ypres (or leper). With Vimy Ridge in German possession during such an offensive, Haig's forces would have been open to German counter-offensive from the Arras district. The attack against Vimy Ridge began on April 9, and the Germans were cleared from the position the following day. Violent attacks and counter-attacks were carried out by both sides throughout the remainder of April and in May. Allied forces captured Gavrell, Guémappe, and important positions east of Lens, and thus considerably strengthened their position around Arras.