As some of you may know, I've been writing the biography of a soldier who served in #WW1. One of the key events in his story involves the 'Battle of Arras', which I'll tweet about in a thread over the next few days to mark #Arras103.

Thanks to @boiry62128 for the inspiration.

@boiry62128 Firstly, a little background. The Battle of Arras took place on the Western Front between April and May 1917, sandwiched between the Battles of the Somme and Passchendaele. As such, it's often been overshadowed, although it was a major offensive. #Arras103 /1

@boiry62128 By Spring 1917, the Germans had formed a strong defensive line (the Hindenburg line), which the Allies knew they had to break if progress was to be made. The plan was for British Empire forces to attack the line east of the French town of Arras. #Arras103 /2

@boiry62128 The British assault was to be a prelude to/diversion from a bigger attack planned by French General Robert Nivelle. The idea being that German troops would be sent north to fight at Arras, allowing the French to smash through the line further south. #Arras103 /3

@boiry62128 This being so, the British attack (notably including a number of Canadians) was launched on 9 April 1917. Initially, it met with great success. My story begins one day later, with the 1st Battalion of the Border Regiment, which were in huts at Bavincourt. #Arras103 /4

@boiry62128 Unusually for April, the weather was awful ("snow, hail, rain and wind"). But the news they got of the opening of the attack was nonetheless cheering; "captures, 10,000 prisoners and about 10 guns." #Arras103 /5

@boiry62128 The war diary states that on the 12th April, they marched by way of Arras to "Maison Rouge", where they relieved the 7th Norfolks of the 9th Brigade. (Perhaps you can help me here as I can't ascertain where/what Maison Rouge is/was?) #Arras103 /6

Ah..the brilliant @boiry62128 came to the rescue first. Here's a map with Maison Rouge on it. #Arras103 /7 https://twitter.com/boiry62128/status/1248564919223685120

@boiry62128 And @stevesmith1944 has also included some great maps here. #Arras103 /8 https://twitter.com/stevesmith1944/status/1248621963922124807

@boiry62128 Plus actual photos of 'Maison Rouge' and the surrounding area (thanks again. @stevesmith1944) : #Arras103 /9 https://twitter.com/stevesmith1944/status/1248622323776679937

@boiry62128 I got sidetracked for a few days, but I'd like to continue this story/thread for #Arras103. After relieving the 7th Norfolks, the Battalion moved on to old German trenches, located between Monchy-le-Preux and Guémappe (see map). /10 https://twitter.com/boiry62128/status/1248699020010237952

@boiry62128 This was where the 8th Cavalry Brigade had "taken it in the neck" (to quote the war diary) on 11 April 1917, suffering many casualties and their Brigadier Gen Charles Bulkeley Bulkeley-Johnson had been killed. (Photo courtesy of the Find A Grave website) #Arras103 /11

@boiry62128 On 17 April 1917, the Battalion moved up to the firing line. The next day, a platoon led by 2nd Lt. Cox attempted to capture a German strong point. They didn't succeed as the position wasn't accurately known & it was strongly defended with machine guns. #Arras103 /12

@boiry62128 2nd Lt Cox & 5 of his party were wounded. The next day (19 April) the Battalion was relieved, & moved to the Arras caves, having sustained 31 casualties in total. These caves were a network of tunnels/disused quarries, adapted to house about 20,000 men. #Arras103 /13