The Battle of Neuve Chapelle: Britain's Forgotten Offensive of 1915
After the reverses of 1914, the French and British commanders were determined to turn the tables on the Germans and take the war to the enemy. A major combined offensive was planned in the Artois region of France but the French had to cancel their part in the operation. This did not deter the commander of the British Expeditionary Force, Sir John French, and on 10 March 1915, the British attacked the German positions centred on the village of Neuve Chapelle.

In what was the first British planned offensive of the First World War, the attackers overran the German lines and almost achieved an unparalleled breakthrough. Only a lack of artillery shells and a breakdown in communications prevented the British First Army under General Haig from taking full advantage of the unprecedented success.

The battle demonstrated how trench systems could be penetrated and set the pattern of warfare on the Western Front for the next three years, with the Allies seeking to achieve that elusive breakthrough which slipped through their fingers at Neuve Chapelle. The shortage of shells was seen as a ‘scandal’ which brought down the Liberal Government.
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The Battle of Neuve Chapelle: Britain's Forgotten Offensive of 1915
After the reverses of 1914, the French and British commanders were determined to turn the tables on the Germans and take the war to the enemy. A major combined offensive was planned in the Artois region of France but the French had to cancel their part in the operation. This did not deter the commander of the British Expeditionary Force, Sir John French, and on 10 March 1915, the British attacked the German positions centred on the village of Neuve Chapelle.

In what was the first British planned offensive of the First World War, the attackers overran the German lines and almost achieved an unparalleled breakthrough. Only a lack of artillery shells and a breakdown in communications prevented the British First Army under General Haig from taking full advantage of the unprecedented success.

The battle demonstrated how trench systems could be penetrated and set the pattern of warfare on the Western Front for the next three years, with the Allies seeking to achieve that elusive breakthrough which slipped through their fingers at Neuve Chapelle. The shortage of shells was seen as a ‘scandal’ which brought down the Liberal Government.
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The Battle of Neuve Chapelle: Britain's Forgotten Offensive of 1915

The Battle of Neuve Chapelle: Britain's Forgotten Offensive of 1915

by Paul Kendall
The Battle of Neuve Chapelle: Britain's Forgotten Offensive of 1915

The Battle of Neuve Chapelle: Britain's Forgotten Offensive of 1915

by Paul Kendall

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Overview

After the reverses of 1914, the French and British commanders were determined to turn the tables on the Germans and take the war to the enemy. A major combined offensive was planned in the Artois region of France but the French had to cancel their part in the operation. This did not deter the commander of the British Expeditionary Force, Sir John French, and on 10 March 1915, the British attacked the German positions centred on the village of Neuve Chapelle.

In what was the first British planned offensive of the First World War, the attackers overran the German lines and almost achieved an unparalleled breakthrough. Only a lack of artillery shells and a breakdown in communications prevented the British First Army under General Haig from taking full advantage of the unprecedented success.

The battle demonstrated how trench systems could be penetrated and set the pattern of warfare on the Western Front for the next three years, with the Allies seeking to achieve that elusive breakthrough which slipped through their fingers at Neuve Chapelle. The shortage of shells was seen as a ‘scandal’ which brought down the Liberal Government.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781473847194
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Limited
Publication date: 01/24/2020
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
Pages: 304
File size: 13 MB
Note: This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Educated at Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London, where he also served as an Honorary Midshipman with the University of London Royal Naval Unit, Paul Kendall is a military historian and author from Kent specialising in the First World War.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements vii

Author's Note ix

Introduction xi

Part I Prelude to Battle

Chapter 1 The British Army 1914-15 1

Chapter 2 The Indian Corps 12

Chapter 3 The Plan for the Neuve Chapelle Offensive 33

Chapter 4 Preparations and Implementation 49

Chapter 5 The Role of the Royal Flying Corps 56

Chapter 6 Eve of Battle: 9 March 1915 63

Part II 10 March 1915

Chapter 7 The Preliminary Artillery Bombardment 71

Chapter 8 8th Division: 23rd Brigade 79

Chapter 9 8th Division: 25th Brigade 95

Chapter 10 Meerut Division: Garhwal Brigade 109

Chapter 11 A Delayed Advance and the German Situation 120

Chapter 12 Indian Corps: The Afternoon of 10 March 1915 124

Chapter 13 IV Corps: The Afternoon of 10 March 1915 133

Chapter 14 The Eveninig of 10 March 1915 139

Part III 11 March 1915

Chapter 15 The British Counter-Attack - IV Corps 149

Chapter 16 The British Counter-Attack - The Indian Corps 167

Chapter 17 Assessment 177

Part IV 12 March 1915

Chapter 18 German Counter-Attack - Moated Grange and Orchard 181

Chapter 19 German Counter-Attack - 24th Brigade 189

Chapter 20 German Counter-Attack - 23rd, 25th and Garhwal Brigades 195

Chapter 21 IV Corps' Attack 201

Chapter 22 The Indian Corps 213

Chapter 23 A Further Attack is Ordered 217

Part V The Medical Operation

Chapter 24 Treating the Wounded 229

Part VI Aftermath and Assessment

Chapter 25 Aftermath of Battle 241

Chapter 26 A Final Assessment 253

Appendices

Appendix I The British Order of Battle 265

Appendix II The German Order of Battle 268

Appendix III The Memorials and Cemeteries of the Battle of Neuve Chapelle 269

References and Notes 272

Bibliography and Selected Sources 281

Index 284

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