On the 4th August 1914 the Germans crossed the Belgian border triggering the start of hostilities in World War One. They launched the Schlieffen Plan which would see German Army's sweeping through Belgium and engaging the French Army on the French-German Border.
The German right flank passed 80 km west of Lille as they engaged the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) at Mons. The BEF and French Army were forced to retreat until they halted the German advance on the River Marne. The Germans withdrew to the River Aisne and began to dig in, the start of trench warfare on the Western Front which would come to symbolise the First World War.
German Schlieffen Plan August September 1914 |
Race to the Sea 1914 |
German Army Douai Gate 1914 |
German Army Lille 1914 |
Lille 1914 |
Lille Town Hall 2018 |
Lille Town Hall Tower 2018 |
German Artillery Lille |
German Occupation Lille Theatre |
Lille Theatre 2018 |
German Parade Grand Place Lille |
Grand Place Lille 2018 |
German Parade Grand Place Lille |
German Parade Grand Place Lille |
Grand Place Lille 2018 |
German Occupation Lille |
German Artillery Lille |
Gare de Flandres |
Gare de Flandres 2018 |
As the 1918 allies offensive began to force the German Armies back, the German Army abandoned the city in September 1918. As they withdrew they blew up several bridges leaving the Pont-Neuf intact.
Western Front 16th October 1918. |
British Army enter Lille October 1918 |
British troops Lille 1918 |
British troops Lille 1918 |
Royal Artillery Lille 1918 |
Royal Artillery Association Lille 2018 |
General Birdwood presents Fifth Army Flag to Lille |
Palais de La Biere Lille |
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