Why was the Battle of Loos a disaster for the British in 1915?
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Why was the Battle of Loos a disaster for the British in 1915?
The British gas attack failed to neutralize the defenders and the artillery bombardment was too short to destroy the barbed wire or machine gun nests. German tactical defensive proficiency was still dramatically superior to the British offensive planning and doctrine, resulting in a British defeat.
What happened at the Battle of Loos?
Between September 26th and September 28th, the British lost many men to German machine gun fire as they attacked German positions around Loos without the aid of artillery support. The battle effectively ended on September 28th. The British suffered 50,000 casualties while the Germans lost about 25,000 men.
Who was involved in the Battle of Loos?
Six British divisions attacked strong German defences in support of French offensives to the south. The attackers suffered very high casualties in capturing the village of Loos, Hill 70 and the formidable Hohenzollern Redoubt, including some self-inflicted losses from the use of chlorine gas against the Germans.
How many Scots died in the Battle of Loos?
Battalions from every Scottish regiment fought in the Battle of Loos and suffered huge numbers of casualties. Of the 21,000 killed, over 7,000 were Scottish soldiers. Almost every town and village in Scotland was affected by the losses at Loos.
How many British soldiers died at Battle of Loos?
50,000 casualties
Around 2,600 British men were registered as casualties as a result of the failed gas attack, but very few died. Altogether the British Army suffered over 50,000 casualties at Loos, almost double the number of German losses.
Where did the Battle of Loos take place?
FranceLoos‑en‑G…
Battle of Loos/Locations
What happened to John Kipling?
On September 27, 1915, Second Lieutenant John Kipling of the British army, the only son of Nobel Prize-winning author Rudyard Kipling, is killed at the Battle of Loos, in the Artois region of France.
Was the Battle of Loos a failure?
The failures of the battle forced Field Marshal Sir John French to resign as commander of the British Expeditionary Force.
What weapons were used in the Battle of Loos?
Number of artillery and heavy guns used by the British forces during the Battle of Loos in 1915
Weapon type | Number of guns |
---|---|
QF 18 pounder gun | 304 |
QF 4.5 inch Howitzer | 72 |
BL 6 inch Howitzer | 36 |
BL 60 pounder gun | 24 |
Was John Kipling’s body ever found?
John Kipling’s body was not found. Rudyard Kipling spent four years searching for his lost son. He tracked down men from John’s battalion and quizzed them.
Where is Jack Kipling buried?
St Mary’s A.D.S. Cemetery, Haisnes, FranceJohn Kipling / Place of burial
Did Germany win the Battle of Somme?
More of The Somme The Battle of the Somme (1 July – 18 November 1916) was a joint operation between British and French forces intended to achieve a decisive victory over the Germans on the Western Front after 18 months of trench deadlock.
What percentage of soldiers had body lice during ww1?
Lice infestation was the norm in the trenches – it is estimated that up to 97% of officers and men who worked and lived in the trenches were afflicted with lice.
Where was Jack Kipling killed?
Loos-en-Gohelle, FranceJohn Kipling / Place of death