Some wars have faded from people’s memories over time, while others are more popular than ever. In terms of cinema, World War II and the Vietnam War films have been popularized to the extent that some suggest that they’ve been “done to death.” And I’m not just talking about feature films such as “Saving Private Ryan” (1998) or “Platoon” (1986), but also a veritable plethora of documentary films as well. And while I’m happy that this has allowed these wars not to be forgotten, it seems to have been at the expense of other conflicts, such as both the Korean War and World War I.
While the Korean War is still considered the “Forgotten War,” World War I, at least, has been receiving relatively more attention throughout recent years. Also known as the Great War, it is considered to be one of the bloodiest conflicts in history and many historians question whether its high body count was entirely worth it, since many of its battles eventually resulted in stalemates.
However, one thing is for certain—there were some incredible displays of bravery, selflessness, and esprit de corps exhibited by the men fighting for the various countries involved.
This incredible battle was not only enormously significant in terms of the number of lives lost by both the British and German armies that fought each other but also for the large number of Scottish soldiers (in the British army) that participated in it. The Scots not only displayed exceptional grit and battlefield prowess but also a solid foundation based on their ancient traditions.
This documentary is well-researched and features some fantastic black-and-white archival footage of British (along with Scots) soldiers not only fighting it out against the Germans but also expressing comradeship toward one another. It also has a good number of fascinating interviews with war historians and other experts—with Sutherland adding his own commentary from time to time.
One thing that stands out early on is that the Battle of Arras was the biggest battle in Scottish history. As Sutherland points out, there were more Scots gathered together to fight against the Germans than in any other battle in the country’s history. If you go strictly by the numbers, the British army forces at Arras consisted of 120 battalions, and a whopping 44 of those were Scottish.
Another interesting facet is that the Scots stood out because of their striking appearance, including kilts and Glengarry caps, all the while broadcasting ancient martial melodies from their bagpipes. These traditions, along with their history, roused their spirits and distinguished them and their proud culture as elite warriors with a do-or-die spirit. They’d have to rely on these factors for the brutality that lay ahead of them.
As Dr. Natasha Ferguson (Post-excavation Manager at Guard Archeology) points out, the Scots were so often utilized by the British army because they were not only highly dangerous on the battlefield but also instilled fear in any enemy they faced. It’s no wonder that to the Scottish people, joining the military is considered an honorable vocation.
Another dimming effect on the morale of the Allies was that Russia suddenly experienced its Revolution of 1917, during which the previous Russian Empire’s monarchy was being toppled in favor of communism. Therefore, Russia was unable to supply the Allies with the considerable military forces they’d agreed to deliver.
The Battle of Arras was a massive offensive operation that saw the British army attack the German frontline not far eastward from the town of Arras. It lasted from April 9 to May 16, 1917. The Allied commanders, including the French commander-in-chief of the French army who led the offensive, General Robert Nivelle, believed that they could overwhelm the Germans since they possessed numerical superiority. The “Nivelle Offensive,” as it was called, consisted of a concerted Franco-British push to break through the German lines and quickly put an end to the war.
The Allies were able to make considerable advances during the initial phases of the offensive. However, inclement weather and waning morale, particularly on the part of the French army that was attacking the German frontlines to the south, made it so that the British had to bear the brunt of the massive assault.
Indeed, the German defenses were strong. For instance, a highly effective tactic that the Germans used was to lightly defend a large area of their front lines. When the Allies pushed in, the Germans would retreat to draw their enemies further in. Once the Allies had advanced a certain distance, a larger German force would sweep in, cut their foes off, and annihilate them.
Eventually, the Nivelle Offensive began to falter, resulting in turmoil amid the British troops. The horrible weather was taking its toll, and since they had pushed far behind German frontlines, their radio communications were largely hampered. Therefore, they were forced to stick with their original plans to push even further toward German strongholds. The British troops were effectively running straight into massive, deadly mazes and their casualties grew at a horrifying rate.
One of the things that I found fascinating about this documentary is even though so many Scots died during the Battle of Arras, not too many people know about it outside of Scotland. It almost seems like a historical disservice to these brave men who paid the ultimate price on behalf of the Allies.
I also thought the documentary had a peppy pace that keeps you engaged. Whereas some documentaries bog down into regurgitating facts and figures (like cinematic versions of drab textbooks), this one piques the imagination and compels you to look up some of the key locations, etc. mentioned in the film.
