The Second Battle of Artois ( or ) from was a battle on the Western Front during the First World War .

A reciprocal French advance eastwards in Artois could cut Removing the rail lines supplying the German armies between Arras and Reims .

French operations in Artois , Champagne and Alsace from November–December 1914 , led General Joseph Joffre , Generalissimo ( Commander in Chief ) and head of Grand Quartier Général ( GQG ) , to continue the offensive in Champagne against the German southern rail supply route and to plan an offensive in Artois , against the lines supplying the German armies from the north .

French operations in Artois , Champagne and Alsace from November–December 1914 , led General Joseph Joffre , Generalissimo ( Commander in Chief ) and head of Grand Quartier Général ( GQG ) , to continue the offensive in Champagne against the German southern rail supply route and to plan an offensive in Artois , against the lines supplying the German armies from the north .

The French attacked Attack Vimy Ridge and the British attacked Attack further north in the Battle of Aubers Ridge ( 9 May ) and the Battle of Festubert The battle was fought Hostile_encounter during the German offensive of the Second Battle of Ypres which the Germans ended to reinforce the Artois front .

The failure to break through , despite the expenditure of and the suffering of led to recriminations against Joffre ; the German 6th Army suffered Bodily_harm A lull followed until the Second Battle of Champagne , the Third Battle of Artois and the Battle of Loos in September .

The term describes Communication reciprocal attempts by the Franco-British and German armies to envelop the northern flank of the opposing army through the provinces of Picardy , Artois and Flanders , rather than an attempt to advance northwards to the sea .

Artillery observation from aircraft and creeping barrages , were first used Using systematically in the Second Battle of Artois from 9 May to 18 June 1915 .