Key Facts
- Duration
- 11 January – 13 March 1917
- Prisoners taken
- 5,284
- German withdrawal (Jan–Feb)
- 5 mi on a 4 mi front
- German withdrawal (22/23 Feb)
- 3 mi on a 15 mi front
- Opposing armies
- British Fifth Army vs German 1st Army
Strategic Narrative Overview
British attacks from 11 January pushed German forces back roughly 5 miles on a 4-mile front by 22 February, taking thousands of prisoners. The Germans conducted their own phased withdrawals: a 3-mile retirement on a 15-mile front on 22–23 February, followed by a shift from Reserve Position I to Reserve Position II on 11 March. This latter withdrawal went undetected by the British until dusk on 12 March, forestalling a planned British assault.
01 / The Origins
Following the Battle of the Ancre in November 1916, fighting on the Somme front halted for winter. Field Marshal Haig directed the British Fifth Army to resume systematic attacks in January 1917 to pin down German troops, improve ground observation in the Ancre valley, and maintain pressure on German positions near Serre. These operations were also intended to support preparations for the forthcoming Battle of Arras in spring 1917.
03 / The Outcome
The operations concluded on 13 March 1917. German withdrawals, partly driven by British pressure and partly pre-planned under Operation Alberich, reshaped the front. The main Alberich withdrawal from the Noyon salient towards the Hindenburg Line commenced on schedule on 16 March, rendering the British spring plan to pinch off the Bapaume salient largely redundant before it could be executed.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig.
Side B
1 belligerent
Kinetic Engagement Axis
Scroll horizontally to view full axis. Events plotted relatively.