Battle of Festubert

Battle of Festubert
Part of the Second Battle of Artois on the Western Front of the First World War
Front line following the Battle of Neuve Chapelle, (10–13 March 1915)
Date 15–25 May 1915 Location South of Neuve Chapelle, France 50°32′38″N 2°44′10″E / 50.54389°N 2.73611°E / 50.54389; 2.73611 Result German victory Territorial changes Minor British gains
Belligerents
British Empire  Canada  India[1]  United Kingdom	German Empire  Bavaria  Prussia
Commanders and leaders
Douglas Haig	Crown Prince Rupprecht
Strength
6 divisions	3 divisions
Casualties and losses
16,648	c. 5,000

The Battle of Festubert (15–25 May 1915) was an attack by the British army in the Artois region of France on the western front during World War I. The offensive formed part of a series of attacks by the French Tenth Army and the British First Army in the Second Battle of Artois (3 May – 18 June 1915). After the failure of the breakthrough attempt by the First Army in the attack at Aubers Ridge (9 May 1915) tactics of a short hurricane bombardment and an infantry advance with unlimited objectives, were replaced by the French practice of slow and deliberate artillery-fire intended to prepare the way for an infantry attack.

A continuous three-day bombardment by the British heavy artillery was planned, to cut wire and demolish German machine-gun posts and infantry strong points. The German defences were to be captured by a continuous attack, by one division from Rue du Bois to Chocolat Menier Corner and by a second division 600 yd (550 m) north, which was to capture the German trenches to the left of Festubert. The objectives were 1,000 yd (910 m) forward, rather than the 3,000 yd (1.7 mi; 2.7 km) depth of advance attempted at Aubers Ridge. The battle was the first British attempt at attrition.