Ypres 2016 - Battle of Loos

Battle of Loos 1915

In the spring of 1915 the French Army, supported by the British, had attempted to breakthrough the German lines in the Artois Region with little success other than localised gains. Despite the failure of the 2nd Battle of Artois, French Chief of Staff, General Joffre wanted to renew the offensive. His plan was to launch an attack in the Champagne Region, with a secondary action in Artois.

 In order to concentrate French forces, the British 3rd Army took over the Somme Sector at the end of July 1915.



Strategic Situation on the eve of the Battle of Loos

Loos lay in the industrial area in the north east of France and was a coal mining area. The ground was uniformly flat with a series of low ridges that ran north / south. Mining villages and collieries dominated by slagheaps (Fosse) formed the landscape.

The most prominent features were the colliery winding towers nicknamed 'Tower Bridge' and two slag heaps - the Double Crassier.

Loos Battlefield Panorama 1915

Loos Battlefield Panorama 2016

Loos 1915 - Tower Bridge

Loos 1915 - Double Crassier

 



Loos - Double Crassier Selfie

The plan was to attack on a broad front committing all six divisions of  I and IV Corps to break through the German lines in the area of Loos, then to reinforce the breakthrough with the XI Corps, allowing the Cavalry to exploit east to Mons.

The aim of attacking on a broad front was to overcome the problem experienced at the Battle Neuve Chappelle in March 1915 where a narrow front meant the enemy could concentrate their fire. However, insufficient heavy artillery and ammunition compromised the  Loos plan ,  so to augment the  artillery it was decided to employ the use of gas, the first time it would be used by the British Army.

On the left was I Corps (2nd / 9th (Scottish) / 7th Divisions), right IV Corps (1st / 15th (Scottish) / 47th (2nd London) Divisions)

The plan for the artillery was divided into 3 phases :

Phase 1 - Preliminary Bombardment - 96 hours
Phase 2 - Battle (including release of gas prior to H Hr) - 48 hours
Phase 3 - Movement of guns to new positions.

For the first time Commanders Royal Artillery (CRA - Brigadiers 1*) were appointed to command the Corps Divisional Artillery and an artillery staff co-ordinated fire plans. Control of heavy artillery was retained at First Army HQ.

The preliminary bombardment commenced 21st September 1915, the aim to reduce German defences and cut wire. Two thirds of the ammunition was allotted to the preliminary phase. The wind direction was closely monitored over the four days to ensure that conditions on the 25th would support the use of gas.

The attack was initially ordered for 05:00, but then delayed as the wind was not strong enough. As the wind picked up, General Haig ordered the attack and release of gas at 05:50.

The gas was released and the British troops went over the top.

British troops advance behind gas cloud
Battle of Loos 25th September 1915

To the south the 9th / 15th / 47th Divisions made good progress as the gas took it's toll on the German defenders, capturing Loos and the Hohenzollern Redoubt. It was during this action that Piper Laidlaw of the 7th Battalion Kings Own Scottish Borders (15th Scottish Division) won the Victoria Cross.

Piper Laidlaw VC 7/KOSB
Battle of Loos

In the area of the 1st and 7th Divisions the gas doubled back on the British causing confusion and casualties, and little progress was made.

The Germans consolidated there defensive positions and held further advances. Attacks by both sides failed, though the Germans did re-capture the Hohenzollern Redoubt on 3rd October. The final attack by the British was on 13th October 1915.

The British made some gains but at the cost of over 50,000 casualties compared with an estimated 26,000 German casualties.

Loos Battlfield - Double Crassier moving East to North