October 30, 1914
The small battles for villages along the ridge at Ypres results in many places being taken, lost and retaken many times by both sides. In the end, winter will come and force an end to the carnage. Both sides will declare victory and with some justification. The Allies have successfully stood between the Axis and the channel. The Germans have maintained and improved their grip on most of Belgium. Germany has lost 100,000 men, the Allies a similar number. Winter forces both sides to form makeshift defenses where they can nervously await spring.
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Friday, October 17, 2014
First Warsaw and Ypres
October 17, 1914
To the east the first Battle of Warsaw is being fought. The Russians advance over sodden swampy roads. The Germans and Austrians attempt to break their advance but fail and are obliged to retreat.
Meanwhile, Sir John French is moving the BEF eastward toward Flanders and toward a German Army that they have no idea is in their path. It is the beginning of the first Battle of Ypres. British, French and the remains of the Belgian Army converge on a Germany Army that is tired of retreat. The winter is coming on and cold and damp become a way of life for both armies.
King Albert of Belgium is told in no uncertain terms that he cannot expect to hold his crown after hostilities are concluded, if he loses the last piece of Belgian territory to the Axis. Out of desperation, he opens the sluice gates and floods wide stretches of ground. The advancing Germans have to scramble back and fight for higher ground.around Ypres. All around the battle field, entrenchments become man-made ponds and muddy canals. The terrible conditions favor the defenders and deadlock is the result.
A brigade of reserves composed of German schoolboys advance with linked arms and singing school songs are mowed down by machine gun fire. The horror of modern warfare is becoming clearer to all the participants.
To the east the first Battle of Warsaw is being fought. The Russians advance over sodden swampy roads. The Germans and Austrians attempt to break their advance but fail and are obliged to retreat.
Meanwhile, Sir John French is moving the BEF eastward toward Flanders and toward a German Army that they have no idea is in their path. It is the beginning of the first Battle of Ypres. British, French and the remains of the Belgian Army converge on a Germany Army that is tired of retreat. The winter is coming on and cold and damp become a way of life for both armies.
King Albert of Belgium is told in no uncertain terms that he cannot expect to hold his crown after hostilities are concluded, if he loses the last piece of Belgian territory to the Axis. Out of desperation, he opens the sluice gates and floods wide stretches of ground. The advancing Germans have to scramble back and fight for higher ground.around Ypres. All around the battle field, entrenchments become man-made ponds and muddy canals. The terrible conditions favor the defenders and deadlock is the result.
A brigade of reserves composed of German schoolboys advance with linked arms and singing school songs are mowed down by machine gun fire. The horror of modern warfare is becoming clearer to all the participants.
Friday, October 10, 2014
Moving the BEF
October 8-19, 1914
The battle along the extreme northern end of the front has narrowed to a flat featureless district in Belgium known as Flanders. The British Army, including elements of cavalry and East Indian regiments, is being moved here to protect the channel ports from domination by the Germans. The hard fighting Belgium Army, evacuated from Antwerp, regroups after the surrender of the city and joins them. The forces concentrate around the Belgian city of Ypres. The French call it "eep", to the tommies it is called "wipers".
The French Commander Joffre is a little worried that the proximity of the British forces to the English Channel may facilitate a return to their home island if the war takes a turn for the worse for the Allies. Her urges caution on Sir John French.
On October 10th, forces of the German Army finally occupy Antwerp after a difficult siege. It's another disaster for the Allies.
The battle along the extreme northern end of the front has narrowed to a flat featureless district in Belgium known as Flanders. The British Army, including elements of cavalry and East Indian regiments, is being moved here to protect the channel ports from domination by the Germans. The hard fighting Belgium Army, evacuated from Antwerp, regroups after the surrender of the city and joins them. The forces concentrate around the Belgian city of Ypres. The French call it "eep", to the tommies it is called "wipers".
The French Commander Joffre is a little worried that the proximity of the British forces to the English Channel may facilitate a return to their home island if the war takes a turn for the worse for the Allies. Her urges caution on Sir John French.
On October 10th, forces of the German Army finally occupy Antwerp after a difficult siege. It's another disaster for the Allies.
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