SIR – On Tuesday, March 10, it will be one hundred years since the start of the Battle of Neuve Chappelle in Northern France.
The assault on Neuve Chappelle was based, for the first time in the history of warfare, on maps prepared solely by photographic reconnaissance.
The battle also included the first attempt at bombing with the Royal Flying Corps launching attacks on railways at Courtrai, Menin, Lille, Douai, and a junction at Don by aircraft carrying 25 pound and 100 pound bombs in an effort to delay the progress of enemy reinforcements.
Despite poor weather conditions, the early stages of the battle were successful.
Strong enemy points and poor communication resulted in the battle reaching stalemate after three days with the British soldiers taking 1,000 yards of enemy trenches and resisting counter attacks.
Peter J Palmer, Buttermere Road, Bradford
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