Arleux

This photograph depicts five Canadian observers huddled in a fox hole overlooking the Battle of Arleux. The Battle of Arleux (April 28-29, 1917) was part of the Battle of Arras.
Credit: Canada. Department of National Defence/Library and Archives Canada (MIKAN no. 3521895)

A German N.C.O. prisoner lights a cigarette for a wounded Canadian at the taking of Arleux [France] April, 1917.
Credit: Canada. Department of National Defence/Library and Archives Canada (MIKAN no. 3194801)

First World War

Date

28-29 April 1917

Geographical parameters

Boiry–Notre–Dame - Monchy–le–Preux - Beaurains - Roclincourt - Vimy (exclusive) - Acheville

Context

A battle honour formally entitled the “Battle of Arleux” and itself being part of “The Battles of Arras, 1917”^{Footnote 1}

Description

The Honour “Arleux” was awarded for actions on 28 and 29 April 1917 that resulted in the successful capture of the village of Arleux-en-Gohelle to the east of Vimy Ridge. Conducted mainly by the 1st Canadian Division (Major-General A.W. Currie) the Canadian attack was meant to capture a portion of the German “Arleux Loop” defensive position in front of the village. The Canadian portion of the attack was launched in the early morning of the 28th and had successfully gained its objectives by 6:00 am after which reinforcements moved forward in anticipation of German counterattacks. These counterattacks were mainly broken up by Canadian artillery fire. The Germans eventually fell back on to their Oppy-Méricourt Line defences in front of Fresnoy-en-Gohelle abandoning the Arleux salient. The successful attack on Arleux gave the Canadians a good jumping off point for their attack as part of the Third Battle of the Scarpe launched on 3 May.

Lieutenant General Currie, Commander of the Canadian Corps in France, and A.D.C. Location unknown. June, 1917.
Credit: Canada. Department of National Defence/Library and Archives Canada/PA-001370; (MIKAN no. 3191901)

Awarded to:

Currently serving units

• 48th Highlanders of Canada
  Awards to the 15th Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 110/29) and The 48th Regiment (Highlanders) (GO 110/29)
• 56th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA
  Awards to the 4th Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 110/29) and The Dufferin Rifles of Canada (GO 110/29)
• The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada
  Awards to the 13th Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 110/29), the 42nd Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 110/29), and The Royal Highlanders of Canada (GO 110/29)
• The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own)
  Awards to the 7th Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 71/30) and the 1st British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own) (GO 110/29)
• The Calgary Highlanders
  Awards to the 10th Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 123/29) and The Calgary Highlanders (GO 110/29)
• The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's)
  Awards to the 16th Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 110/29), the 67th Canadian (Pioneer) Battalion, CEF (GO 123/29), and The Canadian Scottish Regiment (GO 110/29)
  
• Governor General's Foot Guards
  Awards to the 2nd Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 123/29) and The Governor General's Foot Guards (GO 32/32)
• The North Saskatchewan Regiment
  Awards to the 5th Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 110/29) and The Saskatoon Light Infantry (GO 110/29)
• The Nova Scotia Highlanders
  Awards to the 25th Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 123/29) and The Colchester and Hants Regiment (GO 110/29)
• Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
  Award to Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (GO 123/29)
• The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada
  Awards to the 3rd Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 123/29) and The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada (GO 110/29)
• Royal 22e Régiment
  Award to the Royal 22e Régiment (GO 110/29)
• The Royal Canadian Regiment
  Awards to the 1st Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 110/29) and The Canadian Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) (GO 110/29)
• The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry (Wentworth Regiment)
  Awards to the 4th Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 110/29) and The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry (GO 110/29)
• The Royal Montreal Regiment
  Awards to the 14th Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 110/29) and The Royal Montreal Regiment (GO 110/29)
• The Royal New Brunswick Regiment
  Awards to the 26th Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 110/29) and The Saint John Fusiliers (GO 110/29)
• The Royal Regiment of Canada
  Awards to the 3rd Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 123/29), the 123rd Canadian Pioneer Battalion, CEF (GO 123/29), The Royal Grenadiers (GO 110/29), and The Toronto Regiment (GO 110/29)
• The Royal Winnipeg Rifles
  Awards to the 8th Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 110/29), the 10th Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 123/29), the 27th Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 123/29), The Winnipeg Rifles (GO 110/29) and The Winnipeg Light Infantry (GO 110/29)
• The South Alberta Light Horse
  Awards to the 31st Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 110/29) and The South Alberta Regiment (GO 110/29)

Units on the Supplementary Order of Battle

• 50th Field Artillery Regiment (The Prince of Wales' Rangers), RCA
  Awards to the 2nd Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 123/29) and The Peterborough Rangers (GO 110/29)
• Victoria Rifles of Canada
  Awards to the 24th Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 110/29) and The Victoria Rifles of Canada (GO 110/29)

Disbanded Units

• 2nd Canadian Pioneer Battalion, CEF
  Award to the 2nd Canadian Pioneer Battalion, CEF (GO 123/29)
• 107th Canadian Pioneer Battalion, CEF
  Award to the 107th Canadian Pioneer Battalion, CEF (GO 123/29)
• The Manitoba Regiment
  Award to The Manitoba Regiment (GO 123/29)
• The North Alberta Regiment
  Awards to the 31st Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 110/29) and The North Alberta Regiment (GO 110/29)