40 likes | 588 Views
The Battle of Arras – April-May 1917. Aim of the battle was to divert German attention away from a major French attach at Aisne (to the south). In this aim the battle was successful.
E N D
The Battle of Arras – April-May 1917 • Aim of the battle was to divert German attention away from a major French attach at Aisne (to the south). • In this aim the battle was successful. • Much ground was taken from the Germans. This was particularly impressive as the Germans held the high ground in places such as Vimy Ridge. • Many new tactics were battle-tested at Arras, including the creeping barrage, counter-battery fire and mining and tunnelling. In addition, the RFC was used extensively for spotting and bombing. • The battle did not, however, ‘end the war in 48 hours’, as it was hoped and the casualty number s were high – 150,000
The Battle of Arras – April-May 1917 • 44 Scottish Battalions involved • 7 Canadian Scots-named Battalions (e.g. the Gordon Highlanders of Canada) • Largest concentration of Scots that fought together in one battle. • As at Loos, 1/3 of overall casualties were Scots.
The memorial to the Canadian soldiers who took Vimy Ridge from the Germans during the Battle of Arras, 1917