Third Battle of Artois

Third Battle of Artois
Part of the Western Front of the First World War

Franco-British offensive, September 1915
Date25 September – 4 November 1915
Location50°30′N 2°45′E / 50.500°N 2.750°E / 50.500; 2.750
Result See Analysis section
Territorial
changes
Advance of the Entente front line in Artois by 1.2–1.9 mi (2–3 km)
Belligerents
 France
 United Kingdom
 German Empire
Commanders and leaders
Victor d'Urbal
John French
Crown Prince Rupprecht
Strength
French Tenth Army: 10 divisions
British First Army: 8 divisions
6th Army: 9 divisions
Casualties and losses
French: 48,230
British: 61,713
c. 51,100
(2,000 POW)

The Third Battle of Artois (25 September – 4 November 1915, also the Loos–Artois Offensive) was fought by the French Tenth Army against the German 6th Army on the Western Front of the First World War. The battle included the Battle of Loos by the British First Army. The offensive, meant to complement the Second Battle of Champagne, was the last attempt that year by Joseph Joffre, the French commander-in-chief, to exploit an Allied numerical advantage over Germany. Simultaneous attacks were planned in Champagne-Ardenne to capture the railway at Attigny and in Artois to take the railway line through Douai, to force a German withdrawal from the Noyon salient.