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Although the Battle of the Somme and the Third Battle
of Ypres, often referred to as the Battle of Passchendaele,
are indelibly etched in British consciousness, the average
daily casualty rate for the Battle of Arras was actually far
greater than either of these, as illustrated in the image to
the left.
Combined casualties for the three Scottish Divisions
during April and May 1917 came to just over 18,000.
Added to this figure are the casualties of another 14 Scottish
Battalions that fought with other Divisions at Arras. On 11
th
April 1917 just one of those Battalions, the 2nd Seaforth
Highlanders, sustained casualties amounting to 12 officers
and 363 other ranks.
Arras was, and still remains, a battlefield very close to
Scottish hearts.
high hopes and
disappointments
the battle of arras