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.