Battle of Arras (1917)

The Battle of Arras was a battle of the First World War. The battle was a British attack on the German defences near the French city of Arras on the Western Front. The battle started on 9 April 1917. The British Empire troops went quite far forward but they did not achieve a breakthrough. For the amount of ground gained, the British also lost many soldiers. The battle ended on 16 May 1917 and there was a stalemate.

Battle of Arras
Part of the Western Front of the First World War
The Battle of Arras, April 1917
Date 9 April – 16 May 1917 Location Arras, France 50°17′23″N 2°46′51″E Result See Analysis section
Belligerents
British Empire United Kingdom Canada Australia Newfoundland New Zealand South Africa	German Empire
Commanders and leaders
Douglas Haig Edmund Allenby Hubert Gough Henry Horne	Erich Ludendorff Ludwig von Falkenhausen
Strength
first day: 14 divisions in the assault 9 divisions in reserve	first day: 12 divisions in the line 5 divisions in reserve
Casualties and losses
158,000	120,000–130,000

Battle Of Arras (1917) Media

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  The town square, Arras, February 1919
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  Troops of the 10th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers at Wagonlieu, 8 April 1917

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  Front lines at Arras prior to the assault.
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  Exit from the Allied military tunnels in the Carrière Wellington
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  British machine gunners fire on German aircraft near Arras
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  Gunners of the Royal Artillery near Saint-Laurent-Blangy
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  18 pounder gun crew in action during the advance near Athies
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  Canadian machine gun squad at Vimy Ridge.
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  Royal Engineers building a temporary bridge at Saint-Laurent-Blangy, 22 April
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  British 18-pounder battery under German fire close to Monchy-le-Preux, 24 April. In the foreground is an advanced dressing station