Collecting the battle
Edward Hallett considers some of the new tactics used during the Battle of Arras and focussing a collection around these
Edward Hallett considers some of the new tactics used during the Battle of Arras and focussing a collection based around the weapons, uniforms and equipment.
The Battle of Arras in 1917 was to see one of the greatest territorial advances by the British Army, up until that point in the war, as a result of innovative new combined arms and small unit infantry tactics. The battle featured the successful use of tanks, artillery and aircraft in combination with section tactics that replaced previous wave attacks and it is this move to recognisably modern tactics of war which has ensured that battle remains of interest to the historian and collector alike. There are many items of militaria out there with a World War I connection, but the focus here is on items that help tell the story of this innovative use of machines and men and there is plenty for the collector to look out for.
TANKS
The tank had made its debut in World War I but it took time for the tactics for this new machine to be developed and Arras was the first truly successful use of the new machines. Early tanks were equipped with either 6 pounder guns (male tanks) or Lewis machine guns (female tanks), with both models also being equipped with Hotchkiss as secondary armament- the male had a pair of Hotchkiss machine guns in each sponson and another in the front, whilst female tanks just carried one Hotchkiss mounted in the front. The Hotchkiss fired ammunition from metal strips that were carried in special metal stowage boxes within the tank. These boxes are rare, but WD Militaria has an example for sale at £145 which, unusually, retains its internal dividers. Lewis guns also come up for auction or sale from time to time. Colchester Militaria Shop currently has a deactivated Lewis gun for £7,750.
When under fire, early tanks had an unfortunate habit of sending pieces of red hot metal, called spall, flying around the interior. To protect the tank crew, special goggles and chain mail masks were provided to cover their faces with. These have been extensively faked over the years, however original examples do exist and buyers should always look to a dealer who will offer a quibble free money back guarantee on them. An original example is currently being offered by CS Militaria for £1,550. For tank crew, baling out was always the most dangerous part of any attack. If the tank was damaged and unable to move it became a large and very vulnerable target so the crew had to try and escape and return to their lines on foot, often in the midst of a raging battle. The only personal weapons that could be carried inside an early tank were .455 Webley revolvers and these were carried in leather holsters worn on the hip.
These holsters were made of leather and Mons Militaria has a 1917-dated example for £75.
ROYAL FLYING CORPS
The Royal Flying Corps committed many hundreds of planes to the
Arras campaign, most in the Artillery Observation Role. These vulnerable aircraft observed the fall of artillery shells and radioed corrections back to the gunners to help them walk their shells onto target. The aircraft were particularly vulnerable as they had to fly at relatively slow speeds, at low level and in predictable patterns, however the work they did was crucial to the success of the artillery and in turn the outcome of the battle.
WD Militaria has an example of one of these early wireless transmitters carried in an aircraft for sale at £950. The transmitter is an American made model, covered in canvas and painted black with brass terminals on one side to attach headphones and a Morse code key.
The technology was in its infancy and range limited, but it would prove the concept worked in large-scale campaigns and increased in importance and reliability as the century progressed.
Whilst most flying helmets of the period were simple leather skull caps, some more elaborate designs were developed with padding to help protect the head from bumping into the edges of the cockpit whilst the aircraft was
involved in the aerial acrobatics of a dogfight. One such helmet, used by the Royal Flying Corps, was the Roold Warren pattern of flying helmet that had cork pads and a large cork bumper around the circumference of the head. It was covered in leather and had a padded cotton liner and saw use on the Western Front for several years.
Original examples in good condition are scarce, the example on sale from Mons Militaria is a rare survivor and is priced at £1,050.
MEDALS
There was a large Canadian contingent to the Allied order of battle and a Canadian runner, Private AE Hiller of the 7th Canadian Infantry Battalion, was to win the Military Medal for his conspicuous gallantry in taking messages between battalion and company headquarters under heavy fire during the battle between 28 and 30 April 1917, and for his part in rescuing a severely wounded Lieutenant and getting him to a first aid post, thus saving his life. His medal is being offered for sale by London Medals for £550.
For a full grouping of medals, the same dealer has a set awarded to Sergeant A Gaffney of the East Kent Regiment for bravery during the failed attack in the Third Battle of the Scarpe on 3rd May 1917, as part of the Arras Campaign. He appears to have been wounded and returned to the UK on 10 May, having won the Military Medal. The full set includes his
Military Medal together with the 191415 Star, War Medal and Victory Medal. The full grouping is priced at £695.
SOUVENIRS
Like most other battlefields in Western Europe, by the 1920s Arras was a site of pilgrimage for many old soldiers who came back, often with their families, to revisit the most formative locations of their lives. Souvenir makers catered for these tourists and a range of trinkets and mementos were available that can still be found by collectors today, often for very reasonable prices. Little sweetheart broaches, made of brass and with the location marked on them were hugely popular souvenirs and DCM Medals is offering an example at £20. It features the badge of the town above a sprig of foliage and with a scroll bearing the town’s name.
Books with postcards in them were also hugely popular. These booklets contained between 10 and 20 images of the town and battlefields and the postcards could either be detached to be sent home, or the whole book kept as a souvenir. Bulldog Militaria has an example depicting scenes of the battlefields around Arras and the destruction to the town itself for £20.
The Battle of Arras was followed closely by those back home, just as they had followed many other campaigns across the war. The Daily Mail cashed in on this by producing colour maps that showed the battlefield and surrounding area so that the public could follow the battle and mark on the changing front lines. These maps originally cost 6d each, however if you want the section that covers Arras today, it will cost you £25 from Militaria Zone.
CANADIAN FORCES
The Canadian contribution to the Arras campaign included the famous battles along Vimy Ridge and no collection focussing on Arras would be complete without including acknowledgement of the Canadian sacrifice here. One item of uniform that was invaluable in the trenches and fighting around Arras and Vimy was waterproof clothing, and although available it was only issued in limited amounts and so was highly prized by those who did have access to it. The Canadians issued a black waterproofed canvas poncho that came down below the knees and secured up the front with metal hooks and eyes. These are incredibly scarce items today, but thecanadiansolier.com has an example of these important frontline garments for sale at 550CAD.
For something a little smaller and affordable, Gradia Militaria has a pair of brass Canadian national titles at £30. These were worn on the shoulder straps of a man’s uniform and took the form of a brass badge with the title ‘Canada’ in an arc surrounded by a border and with a pair of lugs on the rear to allow it to be attached with a cotter pin.
GERMAN FORCES
Like the British and Empire, the German Army had evolved and adapted to the changing nature of war and presented a very different image to that of earlier in the war. Widespread use of steel helmets to protect men from shrapnel had occurred and the distinctive ‘coal scuttle’ helmet was seen on many troops in the Battle of Arras.
World War I German helmets have become increasingly scarce, even more so in original, untouched condition. A number of variations were produced during the war, however at the time of the Battle of Arras most men were still wearing the M.16 pattern of helmet and Regimentals Militaria has a nice example of this pattern for sale with its original liner and paintwork remaining. There is some slight rust creeping through behind the paint, and so the price is a very reasonable £885. ■