Battle of Arras (1914)

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict= Battle of Arras
partof= the Race to the Sea on the Western Front (World War I)


caption=
date= October 1 – October 4, 1914
place= Between Arras and Lens, France
casus=
territory=
result= French hold Arras, but lose Lens to the Germans
combatant1=
combatant2=
commander1= Louis Maud'huy
commander2= Crown Prince Rupprecht
strength1= French Tenth Army
strength2= Three corps of the German First, Second and Seventh Armies
casualties1=
casualties2=
casualties3=
notes=

The Battle of Arras (also known as the First Battle of Arras), which began on October 1, 1914, was an attempt by the French Army to outflank the German Army to prevent its movement towards the English Channel during the Race to the Sea.

The French Tenth Army, led by Louis Maud'huy, attacked the advancing German forces on October 1, initially experiencing success until they reached the town of Douai. There, the German Crown Prince Rupprecht's Sixth Army launched a counter-attack. Along with additional attacks from three corps of the German First, Second and Seventh Armies. The French were forced to withdraw towards Arras.

France's failure to hold back the German Army resulted in the loss of Lens on October 4, and allowed the Germans to move further northwards towards Flanders. The French, however, were able to hold Arras.

References

*cite web | title= Battles: The Battle of Arras, 1914| work= FirstWorldWar.net| url=http://www.firstworldwar.com/battles/arras1.htm| accessdate=August 8| accessyear=2006
*cite web | title= Battle of Arras| work= Spartacus Educational| url=http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/FWWarras.htm| accessdate=August 8| accessyear=2006