Although the area around Champagne in Northern France is better known for its world famous sparkling wine, it also saw three major battles during World War I. In the area between Reims and Verdun, the First Battle of Champagne was the first significant attack of the war and began in December 1914. The Second Battle started in September 1915 and was a French offensive. The Third Battle was part of the Nivelle Offensive and started took place in April 1917.

First Battle of Champagne

Some minor skirmishes preceded the First Battle of Champagne which was the first significant assault on German positions by the Allies of World War I. The battle began on 20 December 1914 and followed the ‘race to the sea’ when German and the Allies had tried to outflanked each others trench system. The French had primarily attacked the Sanyon Salient which the Germans had forced between Reims and Verdun. The offensive was called off on 17th March 1915 with no significant gains being made. French and German loses totally around 90,000 each.

Second Battle of Champagne

The Second Battle of Champagne took place from 25th September to 6th November 1915. The first days of the offensive was successful and the French made gains of about 2 miles (3km). However, German reinforcements soon arrived the advance was checked by 6th October. The Germans counter attacked on 30th October and regained all the ground it had lost. The plan was abandoned on 6th November. French casualties totaled 145,000 whilst the Germans suffered around 72,000 casualties.

Third Battle of Champagne

Also known as The Second Battle of Aisne, this battle was part of the French Nivelle Offensive. The Third Battle of Champagne was the French assault on Chemin des Daimes ridge and lasted for the first 9 days of the Nivelle Offensive.

The main offensive lasted from 16th April to 24 October 1917. The French assaults started after a week long serious of diversionary British attacks at Arras. 19 divisions of French soldiers attacked a 50 mile front between Soissons and Reims. The Germans were positioned on the high ground and had little trouble holding their positions. On the first day, the French suffered over 40,000 casualties and lost 150 tanks. On 3rd May 1917, the French 2nd Division refused to follow orders to attack and this mutiny soon spread. The Nivelle Offensive was abandoned on 9th May 1917.

2010 Tours

Escorted tours to this section of the Western Front are being run through 2010. Call 0208 816 8789 for more information, prices and availability or send an enquiry via the “Contact Us” page.