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| Strategic Situation 15th September 1915 Source: Cartographie 1914 - 1918 |
The result of this manoeuvre was a number of meeting engagements between French and German Forces.
22-26 Sep
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25-29 Sep
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27 Sep - 10 Oct
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On the 2nd October 1914, the BEF began to withdraw from contact on the Aisne, being replaced by French units. The intent was to move the BEF north to take position on the left flank of the French Army in order to conduct a general advance through Flanders. The BEF's 1st, 2nd and 3rd Corps would concentrate on St Omer. The 4th Corps which deployed in early October 1914 on the Flanders Coast to assist the Belgian Army in the Defence of Antwerp. The Corps never reached Antwerp, the city fell on the 10th October, and the Corps started to west to link up with the rest of the BEF.
The fall of Antwerp would also cause the Belgian Army to withdraw along the coast to establish defensive positions on the River Yser.
The plan was 2nd Corps would advance towards La Bassee, with 3rd Corps towards Armentieres. The 4th Corps would advance east of Ypres, and when 1st Corps arrived, they would move NE between Zonnebeke and Bixschoole.
The right flank of the German Army were also advancing, their axis towards the 2nd and 3rd Corps of the BEF. A new German 4th Army was re-constitutes to try to exploit the gap in Northern Belgium. There advance would put them on course to meet the advancing British 1st Corps, the French Divisions north of the BEF, and the Belgian Army on the coast.
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| German Fourth & Sixth Army advance October 1914 Source: Osprey Books |
10-Oct to 2-Nov
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12-Oct to 2-Nov
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13-Oct to 2-Nov
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16-Oct to 31-Oct
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19-Oct to 22-Nov
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