Battle of Neuve Chapelle
Neuve-Chapelle, Pas-de-Calais, France
What happened
After a short, heavy bombardment, British and Indian troops attacked and captured the village of Neuve Chapelle within a few hours. Then delays, broken telephone lines and slow messages held up the advance while the Germans brought up reserves. After three days, the British could not push further.
Why it matters
The British showed that trench lines could be broken with careful planning, but they could not use the gap. A shortage of artillery shells led to the Shell Crisis of 1915 in Britain.
What came next
The Shell Crisis helped bring down Britain's Liberal government, and David Lloyd George became Minister of Munitions.
Did you know?
It was the first big attack by the Indian Corps, and the nearby Indian Memorial honours Indian soldiers and workers of the Western Front with no known grave.
Timeline
- 10 Mar 1915The attack begins and Neuve Chapelle is taken.
- 12 Mar 1915A German counterattack fails.
- 13 Mar 1915The offensive is halted.
- 15 Mar 1915Sir John French abandons the offensive.