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