The Battle of Neuve Chapelle

By Geoff Bridger

A history of the World War I engagement between British and German forces in northern France, and a visitor’s guide to the battlefield site.

Neuve Chapelle, a lost battlefield, is now opened up for the explorer to learn more about the actions that took place there.

In early 1915, the British decided to take the offensive for the first time in the war against German positions in Northern France. The initial objective was a bulge, about one mile across, in their lines at Neuve.

Events which took place here early in 1915 are described in detail and show why this almost forgotten battle set the course of the war.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Aug 12, 1998
• ISBN: 9781783409884

Book preview

Chapter One

THE PLAN Early Stages

The idea for an attack against the German lines on the Western Front, following the establishment of entrenched positions, was conceived as early as January 1915. At that time of stalemate, various suggestions for a new front were being mooted. Field Marshal Sir John French, in command of the British Expeditionary Force in France, was opposed to the diversification of his forces. He wanted to try to break through the German lines, which he considered was just a matter of deploying sufficient resources. General Joffre, in overall command of the French Armies on the Western Front, was of like mind and plans were discussed for a joint offensive. It seemed the right time for an offensive as the Germans were withdrawing troops from the Western Front to reinforce their armies fighting the Russians. Their remaining garrisons, somewhat undermanned, were, for the time being at least, on a defensive footing.

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Sir John French.

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General Joffre.

The German lines of communication to their forward units were somewhat lengthy and vulnerable. They offered an obvious target for an Allied assault. If those perilous lines of communication could be severed or even seriously threatened then the aggressor would be forced to withdraw. Various plans were discussed and the British wanted to be involved. The French had little respect for the British offensive spirit, considering that small armies were capable only of defence.

General Sir Douglas Haig, commanding the First Army, was asked by Field Marshal French to submit detailed plans for an offensive against Aubers Ridge. It was to be carried out in conjunction with a proposed massive attack by the French Tenth Army in the Lens - Vimy - Arras area. If both attacks succeeded, the German supply lines would be cut. It would forestall any Germans plans to send reinforcements from nearby fronts that had not been threatened. The Anglo-French co-operation was however conditional. Joffre insisted that British troops take over from French forces the part of the front line north of Ypres. He also wanted the British to launch a second attack near Armentières. Unfortunately there were insufficient British reserves, trained and equipped for battle, to satisfy the French demands. Those few that existed were already earmarked for other duties. Sir John faced a dilemma. He could either attack alone or abandon the entire plan.

There were several good reasons to go ahead. After being severely mauled from Mons to Ypres, our troops had faced an unpleasant winter in the trenches. It was time to get them mobile again. This would also tie in nicely with Sir John French’s ambition to prove to a sceptical Kitchener that it really was possible to break through the German lines on the Western Front. Yet another of his objectives was to regain the confidence of his French allies, demonstrating that the BEF was indeed a potent fighting force. He decided to press on with the attack.

The area chosen for the opening assault was essentially that taken by the Germans in October 1914. The salient it formed stretched from the cross-roads in the south named Port Arthur to the Ferme Vanbesien (Moated Grange) in the north. It measured some 3,300 yards around. The attack, planned by Douglas Haig and his First Army staff, involved three brigades attacking initially on a 2,000 yard frontage. It received the approval of the Commander-in-Chief. All they awaited was better weather and the anticipated co-operation of the French. Heavy guns, medical and engineering support units retained for allocation at General Headquarters (GHQ) level were assigned to Haig. Additional support and artillery was withdrawn from other Corps and sent to support the action. Two of the three corps of First Army were allocated the task. They were the Indian Corps (Lieutenant-General Sir James Willcocks) and IV Corps (Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Rawlinson). The area they originally occupied was reduced to enable their forces to be concentrated into a smaller frontage. Each corps was comprised of two