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.