Battle of Festubert
Battle of Festubert | |
---|---|
Part of the Neuve Chapelle, France 50°32′38″N 2°44′10″E / 50.54389°N 2.73611°E | |
Result | German victory |
Territorial changes | Minor British gains |
The Battle of Festubert (15–25 May 1915) was an attack by the
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.
Background
Tactical developments
The Battle of Festubert was the continuation of the Battle of Aubers Ridge (9 May) and part of the larger French
Prelude
British plan
The attack was made by the
Battle
The battle was preceded by a 60-hour bombardment by 433
Aftermath
Casualties
The British suffered 16,648 casualties from 15/16 to 25 May; the 2nd Division suffered 5,445 casualties, the 7th Division 4,123, the 47th Division 2,355, the Canadian Division 2,204 and the 7th (Meerut) Division 2,521 casualties. The German defenders suffered c. 5,000 casualties, including 800 men taken prisoner.[8] French casualties during the Second Battle of Artois were 102,533 men and German casualties were 73,072.[9]
Commemoration
The 100th anniversary of the battle saw it commemorated; some of the most poignant were those held in the Highlands of Scotland, in particular in shinty playing communities, which were affected disproportionately by losses in the battle.[10] Skye Camanachd and Kingussie Camanachd, representing two areas which lost a great many men, were joined by the British Forces shinty team, SCOTS Camanachd for a weekend of commemorations, lectures, memorial services and shinty matches on the weekend of 15–17 May 2015 in Portree. Isle of Skye.[11] A week later, the Beauly Shinty Club renamed their pavilion after the Paterson brothers, Donald and Alasdair, who were killed in the battle and were part of their 1913 Camanachd Cup winning side. Donald's bagpipes were recovered with his other effects in the early 1980s and were played at both commemorations.[12]
See also
- List of Canadian battles during World War I
Footnotes
- ^ "Indian Army on the Western Front". Retrieved 10 August 2020.
- ^ Farndale 1986, p. 107.
- ^ Edmonds 1928, pp. 49–52.
- ^ Edmonds 1928, pp. 52–55.
- ^ Edmonds 1928, pp. 56–58.
- ^ Edmonds 1928, pp. 59–73.
- ^ Edmonds 1928, pp. 73–77.
- ^ a b Edmonds 1928, p. 76.
- ^ Haeften 1932, pp. 93, 96.
- ^ Falconer, Lisa (22 May 2015). "Festubert centenary marked on Skye". West Highland Free Press. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
- ^ "Shinty and music prevail: Remembering WWI fallen". BBC Sport. 21 May 2015.
- The Press and Journal. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
References
- OCLC 58962526.
- ISBN 978-1-870114-00-4.
- Haeften, Hans von, ed. (1932). Der Weltkrieg 1914 bis 1918 Militärischen Operationen zu Lande Achter Band: Die Operationen des Jahres 1915; Die Ereignisse im Westen im Frühjahr und Sommer, im Osten vom Frühjahr bis zum Jahresschluß [The world War 914 to 1918 Military Operations on Land; The Operations of 1915; Events in the West in the Spring and Summer, in the East from Spring to the End of the Year]. Vol. VIII (online scan ed.). Berlin: Mittler. OCLC 838300036. Retrieved 29 June 2021 – via Die digitale landesbibliotek Oberösterreich (The Upper Austrian Provincial Library).
Further reading
- Christie, N. (2007). Other Canadian Battlefields, 1915–1917. For King and Empire. Vol. IX. Ottawa: CEF Books. ISBN 978-1-896979-19-9.
- Duguid, A. F. (1938). From the Outbreak of War to the Formation of the Canadian Corps, August 1914 – September 1915 (PDF). The Canadian Forces in the Great War 1914–1919 (General Series). Vol. I. Ottawa: Patenaude. OCLC 503436827. Retrieved 30 December 2013.
- OCLC 557523890. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
External links
- British Order of Battle, Aubers Ridge and Festubert
- The Battle of Festubert on www.firstworldwar.com
- Festubert
- Battle of Festubert, 15–27 May 1915 on www.historyofwar.org