Battle of Loos

Event date

25th September 1915 to 14th October 1915

Classifications

Keywords for this event?

Source

wikipedia.org , 20th February 2014

Source Date

2014-02-20 00:00:00
Entity info.

The Battle of Loos was the largest British offensive mounted on the Western Front in 1915 during World War I. The first British use of poison gas occurred and the battle was the first mass engagement of New Army units. The British offensive was part of the attempt by the French to break through the German defences in Artois and Champagne and restore a war of movement. Despite improved methods, more ammunition and better equipment the Franco-British attacks were contained by the German armies, except for local losses of ground. Casualties in the Herbstschlacht (Autumn Battle) were high on both sides.

Date 25 September – 14 October 1915
Location Loos, France
Result Stalemate
Belligerents
 British Empire  German Empire
Commanders and leaders
United Kingdom John French
United Kingdom Douglas Haig
German Empire Rupprecht, Crown Prince of Bavaria
German Empire Friedrich Bertram Sixt von Armin
Strength
6 divisions 3 divisions
Casualties and losses
59,247 c. 26,000

Background

The battle was the British component of the combined Anglo-French offensive known as the Third Battle of Artois. Field Marshal Sir John French and Haig (GOC British First Army), both of whom initially regarded the ground, overlooked by German-held slag heaps and colliery towers, as unsuitable for an attack, persuaded themselves that the Loos attack could succeed, perhaps as the use of gas would allow a decisive victory.

Event Place

Author: David

Add comment

Log in or register to post comments