Arras Britain's Bloodiest Battle; The War Underground
The City of Arras and Its Role in WW1
The city of Arras was taken over by British troops in early 1916. Upon arrival, it was found that the former French occupants had used a series of quarries beneath the city to shelter troops, equipment, and supplies. The British then utilized New Zealander tunnellers in a unique operation to link all these quarries, creating a vast underground city that could shelter the entire army along this front. This would play a major part in operations here in 1917.
Wellington Quarries
One part of this tunnel system, the so-called Wellington Quarries, opened in early 2008. Take a tour of the tunnels and discover what it was like to live underground beneath Arras in WW1. This is a unique experience; the chance to go underground like this is rare on the old Western Front battlefields.
The Battlefields Around Arras
Going out onto the battlefields around Arras, you discover why Arras became Britain’s bloodiest battle. This small area of northern France saw the highest casualty rates of the war, with more than 4,000 fatal casualties per day in the battle fought here in April and May of 1917.
- Vimy Ridge: An old favorite.
- Chemical Works at Roeux: The 51st (Highland) Division, in particular, had grievous losses here.
- Sunken Lane at Fampoux: See where a handful of Seaforth Highlanders tried to take the German defenses nearby, now the site of their regimental memorial.
Mont St. Eloi and the Air War
At the old abbey of Mont St. Eloi, discuss the air war over Arras and the daring pilot who flew between the towers of the abbey in 1918.
French and German Involvement
Leger’s Arras tour also looks at the French involvement in the fighting here in the early phase of the war, visiting:
- Notre Dame de Lorette: The largest French cemetery from WW1.
- La Targette German Cemetery: With more than 44,000 burials, a huge hillside of black crosses.
Join us on this fascinating look at one of the most important battlefields of the Great War, but perhaps one of the least visited. Find out more about our Battlefield Tours.
