June, 1915
Since May, a battle has been being fought near the Belgian city of Arras. The fight is instigated by the French and British Armies. General Joffre has decided that waiting for a German offensive would do more to strengthen the Axis than the Allies. Also, there is an opportunity to disrupt rail supply lines to the German army further west. Newly appointed General Ferdinand Foch, Northern Commander proposes and in initiates a major attack on German positions. Over the winter of 1914-15 those positions have been reorganized and strengthened.
The French are attempting to devise tactics that are appropriate to the new form of warfare. It focuses less on unrestrained offensive action and more on carefully considered artillery preparation, better design of entrenchments and increased use of machine gun, mortar, and hand grenade. Reality is intruding on the pre-war doctrines of the military colleges.
Nearly a million shells are dropped in 5 weeks over the 25 mile front and the allies gain a total of 16 square miles.
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