Battles & Campaigns · 1915
Battle of Loos
Loos-en-Gohelle, Pas-de-Calais, France
What happened
Britain and France attacked German lines to try to break the stalemate. It was the largest British attack of 1915 and the first big battle for Britain's new volunteer armies. British troops took the village of Loos and reached Hill 70, but German counterattacks retook the hill and no breakthrough came.
Why it matters
It was a German victory. Criticism of the British commander, Sir John French, grew, and Haig replaced him in December 1915.
What came next
Fighting went on into October before the British gave up further attacks.
Did you know?
A town in British Columbia, Canada, changed its name to Loos in memory of the battle.
Timeline
- 25 Sep 1915The British attack begins.
- 3 Oct 1915German troops retake the Hohenzollern Redoubt.
- 8 Oct 1915The battle ends.
- 15 Dec 1915Haig replaces French as commander.