Events on April 9 in history

World War I: The Battle of Arras: The battle begins with Canadian Corps executing a massive assault on Vimy Ridge.

The spring of 1917 saw a major Allied push on the Western Front, a theatre of war that had become synonymous with brutal trench warfare. Among these offensives was the Battle of Arras, also often referred to as the Second Battle of Arras, a significant British military operation. From its commencement on April 9th, 1917, until its conclusion on May 16th, British forces launched a concentrated assault against the formidable German defensive lines situated near the historic French city of Arras.

For much of the First World War, the opposing armies across the Western Front had been locked in a relentless and costly stalemate, characterized by an unbroken, fortified line of trenches stretching from the Belgian coast all the way to the Swiss border. Since early 1915, the primary strategic objective for the Allied powers had been clear: to pierce these deep German defences, break out into the relatively open ground beyond, and thus force the numerically inferior German Army (known as the Westheer) into a more fluid war of movement, where Allied numerical superiority could be better leveraged.

The Broader Strategic Context: The Nivelle Offensive

The British attack at Arras was not an isolated event but an integral component of a much larger, ambitious Anglo-French strategy known as the Nivelle Offensive. The main thrust of this grand offensive was planned to occur approximately 50 miles (80 km) to the south, at the Second Battle of the Aisne. General Robert Nivelle, the French commander-in-chief, had boldly promised a decisive breakthrough of the German lines within a mere forty-eight hours, a promise that significantly raised expectations but ultimately proved overly optimistic.

British Objectives and Preparations

At Arras, the British command had specific, crucial objectives. Foremost among these was the capture of Vimy Ridge by the Canadian Corps. This elevated position was strategically vital, as it dominated the vast Douai Plain to the east, offering unparalleled observation and control over the surrounding terrain. Beyond Vimy Ridge, the intention was for British forces to advance towards Cambrai, a key logistical hub, and critically, to draw German reserve forces away from the main French offensive to the south. The British assault itself was planned across a relatively broad front, extending from Vimy in the north-west down to Bullecourt in the south-east.

Months of meticulous planning and preparation preceded the offensive. The British had learned bitter lessons from earlier battles, particularly the Somme. They developed new tactics and introduced innovative equipment to overcome the challenges of static warfare. This included extensive tunnelling operations, especially beneath Vimy Ridge, to place explosives and to allow troops to emerge close to German positions. Artillery coordination was refined, employing the 'creeping barrage' with greater precision to protect advancing infantry.

The Battle Unfolds: Initial Successes and Mounting Costs

Following a prolonged and intense preparatory artillery bombardment, the offensive commenced. In the northern sector, the Canadian Corps, part of the British First Army, launched its legendary assault on Vimy Ridge. Through exceptional bravery and meticulous planning, they succeeded in capturing this heavily fortified ridge – a moment of profound national pride and military achievement for Canada. In the central sector, the British Third Army advanced effectively, pushing forward astride the Scarpe River. However, in the southern sector, the British Fifth Army faced the formidable defences of the Hindenburg Line (known to the Germans as the Siegfriedstellung). Here, gains were significantly more limited, highlighting the immense strength of this well-prepared German defensive system, replete with deep dugouts, extensive barbed wire, and interconnected machine-gun positions.

While the initial days saw remarkable progress, with the British achieving the longest advance since the beginning of trench warfare – indeed, surpassing the record set by the French Sixth Army on July 1st, 1916, during the Battle of the Somme – this momentum proved difficult to sustain. The German defence, though initially stunned, rapidly recovered and reinforced its positions. Subsequent smaller attacks launched by the British armies aimed to consolidate the newly gained ground and press further, but these efforts, though often successful in achieving their limited objectives, came at a considerable and mounting human cost.

A Costly Stalemate and Enduring Lessons

When the Battle of Arras officially concluded on May 16th, 1917, the British had certainly made significant territorial gains. However, the overarching strategic goal of a decisive breakthrough, vital to the Nivelle Offensive, had eluded them. The battle, like so many on the Western Front, ultimately devolved into a costly stalemate for both sides. The human toll was immense: the British Third and First Armies alone suffered approximately 160,000 casualties, while the German 6th Army sustained around 125,000 casualties.

Despite the failure to achieve a breakthrough, Arras was not without its valuable lessons. The British demonstrated a remarkable capacity to absorb the painful experiences of earlier battles, particularly the Somme. The effective application of new tactics, such as the synchronized creeping barrage, and the use of specialized equipment, proved that set-piece attacks against heavily fortified field defences could be mounted with greater success than previously imagined. Although the Arras sector became a relatively quiet front after the conclusion of the Second Battle of Bullecourt (May 3rd–17th, 1917) – a quietude that broadly characterized much of the war in the west – significant localized engagements continued, notably attacks on the formidable Hindenburg Line and around Lens, culminating later in the Canadian Battle of Hill 70 (August 15th–25th).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What was the primary objective of the Battle of Arras?

The main objective was to achieve a breakthrough of the German lines on the Western Front, part of a larger Anglo-French offensive to restore mobile warfare. Specifically, the British aimed to capture key strategic positions like Vimy Ridge and divert German reserves from the French front.

What was the significance of Vimy Ridge during the battle?

Vimy Ridge was a highly strategic elevated position that offered excellent observation over the surrounding plains. Its capture by the Canadian Corps was a crucial early success for the Allies, demonstrating effective planning and execution, and became a defining moment for Canadian military identity.

How effective were the new British tactics?

The British implemented new tactics and equipment, including improved artillery coordination (like the creeping barrage) and extensive tunnelling. These innovations proved effective in the initial stages, allowing for significant advances and demonstrating a marked improvement in set-piece attack capabilities compared to earlier battles like the Somme.

What were the overall casualties in the Battle of Arras?

The battle resulted in substantial casualties for both sides. The British First and Third Armies suffered approximately 160,000 casualties, while the German 6th Army sustained around 125,000 casualties, highlighting the high human cost of the fighting.

Was the Battle of Arras considered a strategic success?

While the British achieved significant tactical successes and territorial gains, particularly the capture of Vimy Ridge, they ultimately failed to achieve the strategic breakthrough that was the primary aim of the Nivelle Offensive. The battle concluded as a costly stalemate, though it did demonstrate valuable lessons in offensive warfare.

How did the Battle of Arras fit into the larger war effort?

The Battle of Arras was a crucial component of the Anglo-French Nivelle Offensive of 1917, intended to break the Western Front stalemate. Although it did not achieve its broader strategic goals, it tied down significant German forces, preventing them from reinforcing other sectors, and offered important tactical insights for future Allied operations.