Current Information:

Born-Penge

The Battle of Arras was a series of offensives by the British Army between 9th April 1917 and 16th May 1917. It had been planned in conjunction with the French who would attack in Artois and between them the Allies would force the Germans out of the large salient they had held since the line of trenches was first established. But the Germans had spoiled this plan by falling back to the new and very strong Hindenburg Line in January 1917 and the salient no longer existed.  For the want of an alternative plan the attack went ahead anyway. It all started well for the British who made substantial gains on the first two days but then the offensive ground to a halt and by the end their losses amounted to over 150,000.

On 9th April 12th Division, with its right flank on the Cambrai Road, attacked with 37 Brigade on the right and 36 Brigade on the left. A prominent feature on the line of the attack made by the 7th Royal Sussex battalion was Observation Ridge behind which were the enemy guns hidden in Battery Valley. However, the British artillery barrage, behind which they advanced, proved to be most effective and their objective, the Black Line were soon taken along with 100 prisoners. Most of the battalion’s casualties, which included Arthur Bird, came from machine-guns firing from beyond the Black line. Late that afternoon, 3 companies moved to Feuchy Chapel in support of the 5th Royal Berkshire battalion.