Pas-De-Calais
a department in the N. of France, formed out of Artois and Picardy, and bounded on the W. by the Strait of Dover and the English Channel; area, 255 square miles. The surface is level, with the exception of a low ridge running to the N. W., and ending in Cape Gris-nez. The soil is fertile, mostly under cultivation, and watered by numerous short rivers, the majority of which are navigable and connected by canals. The coast line is 80 miles in length. Fishing is actively carried on, particularly in the neighborhood of Boulogne. Coal, iron, and other minerals are mined and worked. The industrial establishments are iron foundries, beet root sugar factories, glass works, potteries, tanneries, and others. Boulogne and Calais are the principal harbors. The capital is Arras. Pop. (1911) 26,000. In the first week of October, 1914, the Germans attempted to take PASICH Arras by storm, but were repulsed by the French. The attack was renewed on Oct. 20, when the town was bombarded.
This continued for six days. The Germans attacked on Oct. 24, but the French lines held fast. On Oct. 26 General Maud'huy made a drive against the enemy, who was forced back so far that Arras was soon beyond the range of the howitzers. The Germans' effort was to break the Allied line, which would have enabled them to reach the Channel ports and open up the northern road to Paris.