The British 4th Corps (Rawlinson) was able to advance onto the higher ground to the south east of Ypres before being held by the advancing German 4th Army. To 4th Corps north, the 1st Corps (Haig) were able to advance to the Passchendaele Ridge, with the 2nd Division from Zonnebeke to Langermark, linking with the 1st Division facing northwards to Boesinghe .
On the 20th October the German 4th Army launched an offensive with the intent of striking towards the English Channel to capture Dunkirk and Calais, to secure the coastline.
As the German attach began, the BEF abandoned it's advance, began to dig in where they stood and moved to the defensive. Their aim was not only to block the German attack, they looked to hold the vital ground on the Passchendaele Ridge around Ypres.