The Battle of Festubert was an attack by the British army in the Artois region of Franceon the western front during World War I. The offensive formed part of a series of attacks by the French Tenth Army and the British First Army in the Second Battle of Artois. After the failure of the breakthrough attempt by the First Army in the attack at Aubers Ridge tactics of a short hurricane bombardment and an infantry advance with unlimited objectives, were replaced by the French practice of slow and deliberate artillery-fire intended to prepare the way for an infantry attack. A continuous three-day bombardment by the British heavy artillery was planned, to cut wire and demolish German machine-gun posts and infantry strong points. The German defences were to be captured by a continuous attack, by one division from Rue du Bois to Chocolat Menier Corner and by a second division north, which was to capture the German trenches to the left of Festubert. The objectives were forward, rather than the depth of advance attempted at Aubers Ridge. The battle was the first British attempt at attrition.
Background
Tactical developments
The Battle of Festubert was the continuation of the Battle of Aubers Ridge and part of the larger French Second Battle of Artois. The resumption of the British offensive was intended to assist the French Tenth Army offensive against Vimy Ridge near Arras, by attracting German divisions to the British front, rather than reinforcing the defenders opposite the French.
The attack was made by the British First Army under Sir Douglas Haig against a German salient between Neuve Chapelle to the north and the village of Festubert to the south. The assault was planned along a front and would initially be made mainly by Indian troops. This would be the first British army night attack of the war.
Battle
The battle was preceded by a bombardment by that fired about This bombardment failed to significantly damage the front line defences of the German 6th Army but the initial advance made some progress in good weather conditions. The attack was renewed on 16 May and by 19 Maythe 2nd Division and 7th Division had to be withdrawn due to their casualties. On 18 May, the 1st Canadian Division, assisted by the 51st Division, attacked but made little progress in the face of German artillery fire. The British forces dug in at the new front line in heavy rain. The Germans brought up reinforcements and reinforced their defences. From the attack was resumed and Festubert was captured. The offensive had resulted in a advance.
Aftermath
Casualties
The British lost from 15/16 to 25 May; the 2nd Division lost the 7th Division 47th Division had the Canadian Division lost and the 7th Division had The German defenders had including taken prisoner. French casualties during the Second Battle of Artois were and German casualties were
Commemoration
The 100th anniversary of the battle saw a range of commemorations held across the world. Some of the most poignant were those held in the Highlands of Scotland, in particular in shinty playing communities, which were affected disproportionately by losses in the battle. Skye Camanachd and Kingussie Camanachd, representing two areas which lost a great many men, were joined by the British Forces shinty team, SCOTS Camanachd for a weekend of commemorations, lectures, memorial services and shinty matches on the weekend of 15–17 May 2015 in Portree. Isle of Skye. A week later, the Beauly Shinty Club renamed their pavilion after the Paterson brothers, Donald and Alasdair, who were killed in the battle and were part of their 1913 Camanachd Cup winning side. Donald's bagpipes were recovered with his other effects in the early 1980s and were played at both commemorations.
