The 1st Canadian Division moved into the front line trenches on the left flank of the British Army near the village of Neuve-Chapelle. The German lines in the area were lightly defended and the British plan was relatively simple. The newly arrived Canadians were to create a diversion by opening fire with artillery, machine guns and rifles to give the appearance that they were mounting an attack. The hope was that their actions would pin down the German forces oppose them. The British units to their right would then make the actual attack. If the British managed to break through, the Canadians were to reinforce the attack under British direction

The initial British attack was successful but the attack stalled when the front line soldiers lost communications with the British command. Without orders they could not advance. Over the next four days the British continued to launch new attacks with little success. On the third day the Germans counter-attacked - also without success.

The British sustained 12,892 losses, including 100 Canadians - Canada's first casualties in the war.