United Kingdom 1915 1916 1917 1918 Associated articles The Defence of Festubert was an engagement on the Western Front early in the First World War when Indian and British battalions of the 7th (Meerut) Division of the Indian Army defended the village of Festubert against a German attack from 23 to 24 November 1914.

The British and Indian regiments that took part were awarded the battle honour Festubert 1914.

The fighting around Ypres subsided in mutual exhaustion by 22 November and for about three weeks bad weather also inhibited operations apart from artillery-fire, bombing and sniping.

At the end of the month the British made several night raids and on 23 November, the German Infantry Regiment 112 captured 800 yd (730 m) of trench east of Festubert in the Indian Corps area.

The battle was a costly British victory, the lost trench was recaptured but there were many casualties in the 129th Baluchis battalion and the 1st Manchesters.