Battles & Campaigns · 1915
Second Battle of Artois
Artois, northern France
What happened
French troops attacked Vimy Ridge and at first broke through, but German counterattacks pushed them back before French reserves could arrive. British attacks at Aubers Ridge and Festubert gained little. A second French push in June also stalled.
Why it matters
The French did not capture Vimy Ridge, and Joffre was criticised in the army and government. The fighting drew German reserves away from other fronts.
What came next
A pause followed until the Third Battle of Artois and the Battle of Loos in September 1915.
Did you know?
French tunnellers dug about 2.4 km of tunnels under German positions at Carency before the attack.
Timeline
- 9 May 1915The offensive begins; British attack at Aubers Ridge.
- 15–25 May 1915Battle of Festubert.
- 18 Jun 1915The main offensive ends.
- 25 Sep 1915Battle of Loos.