Ypres
19 October – 22 November 1914
WW1 - First Battle of Ypres
Following the halting of the German Army at the Marne in September 1914, the British Army dug in on the Aisne before moving northwards to Flanders to stem the tide of advance of the so-called ‘Race to the Sea’ as the German Army pushed towards the Channel Ports.
The Facts
- Date: 19 October – 22 November 1914
- Location: Ypres, Belgium
| Countries Involved | |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom France Belgium |
German Empire |
| Countries Commanders | |
| John French Joseph Joffre Ferdinand Foch Albert I |
Erich von Falkenhayn Albrecht of Württemberg Rupprecht of Bavaria Max von Fabeck Alexander von Linsingen |
| Army size | |
| Over 400,000 | Over 500,000 |
| Number of Casualties | |
| Over 56,000 | Over 46,000 |
Battle result: Indecisive
This became the First Battle of Ypres, October-November 1914, when the Germans were indeed stopped, but at high cost: more than 56,000 casualties to the British alone. For the Old Contemptibles this was the end to the regular army, and a change in the whole army as Territorial soldiers replaced regulars, just as they would be replaced by volunteers, who in turn would eventually be replaced by conscripts.
Langemark, October 1914
