Scarpe, 1917

First World War

This battle honour designation refers to three battles of the Scarpe in 1917.

Dates

1. 9-14 April 1917
2. 23-24 April 1917
3. 3-4 May 1917

Brigadier-General Huntly D.B. Ketchen commanded the 6th Canadian Infantry Brigade. Seated portrait. October, 1917
Credit: Canada. Department of National Defence/Library and Archives Canada (MIKAN no. 3217396)

Geographical parameters

1. Chérisy – Hamelincourt – Maroeuil (exclusive) – Willerval (exclusive)
2. The river Sensée from Vis-en-Artois to Ervillers (exclusive): thence a line to Dainville (exclusive – Bailleul – Oppy
3. The river Sensée from Vis-en-Artois to St. Léger: then a line to Boyelles – Beaurains – Roclincourt – Vimy – Acheville

Context

1. A battle honour incorporating the tactical incidents “Capture of Monchy-le-Preux” and “Capture of Wancourt Ridge”, formally entitled the “First Battle of the Scarpe, 1917” and itself being part of “The Battles of Arras, 1917”
2. A battle honour incorporating the tactical incidents “Capture of Guémappe” and “Capture of Gavrelle” with subsidiary “Attack on la Coulotte” (23 April 1917, geographically defined as Road Méricourt – Vimy – Neuville St. Vaast – la Targette – Souchez: thence the river Souchez), formally entitled the “Second Battle of the Scarpe, 1917”, and itself being part of “The Battles of Arras, 1917”
3. A battle honour incorporating the tactical incident “Capture of Fresnoy”, formally entitled the “Third Battle of the Scarpe”, and itself being part of “The Battles of the Arras, 1917” ^{Footnote 1}.

Description

1. 9-14 April 1917 - “First Battle of the Scarpe, 1917” - This First Battle of the Scarp principally involved Third Army's role in the opening of the Battle of Arras. It includes the attacks launched on 9 April and the days that followed that pushed the Germans back north and south of the Scarpe River. This included the heroic efforts of the Newfoundland Regiment in defending Monchy-le-Preux from repeated German counter-attacks on 14 April.
2. 23-24 April 1917 - “Second Battle of the Scarpe, 1917 - The main effort of Second Battle of the Scarpe was to capture part of the Hindenburg position and push the Germans to the Drocourt-Quéant line south of the River Scarpe. The Canadian Corps (Lieutenant-General Sir A.W. Currie) was only involved in a minor attack in supporting the British 5th Division, which was still under its command, which would join the British 46th Division in a local attack astride the Souchez River.
3. 3-4 May 1917 - Third Battle of the Scarpe - The Third Battle of the Scarpe was a general offensive by all three armies astride the Scarpe to secure better defensive positions. In the Canadian Corps sector, the attack focussed on the village of Fresnoy-en-Gohelle. The Canadian participation principally involved attacks by 1st (Brigadier-General W.A. Griesbach) and 6th (Brigadier-General H.D.B. Ketchen) Brigades which were launched under a heavy artillery barrage on the night of 2 / 3 May. The Canadians took their objectives and then endured heavy German shelling and counter-attacks throughout the day of 3 May 1917. However difficult, they held their positions until they were relieved two days later.

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) and The Royal Highlanders of Canada (GO 110/29)
• The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own)
  Awards to the 29th Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 123/29) and The Vancouver Regiment (GO 71/30)
• The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's)
  Awards to the 16th Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 110/29) 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 Nova Scotia Highlanders
  Awards to the 25th Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 123/29) and The Colchester and Hants Regiment (GO 110/29)
• 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 Newfoundland Regiment
  Award to The Royal Newfoundland Regiment (Award to The Royal Newfoundland Regiment (1914-1919) (Adjutant General, War Office, to Official Secretary, Office of the High Commissioner for Canada, 14 Dec 1951))
• 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 Regina Rifles
  Awards to the 28th Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 110/29) and The Regina Rifle Regiment (GO 110/29)
• The Royal Winnipeg Rifles
  Award to the 27th Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 123/29)
• 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)