The First Battle of Ypres, was fought over the strategic Belgian town after which the battle is named.
The battle involved British, French and Belgian troops against the forces of the German Empire.
The battle was part of ‘The Race to the Sea’, where the Western Entente powers and the Germans both attempted to outflank one another in order to reach the North Sea first, and to break through the enemy lines.
Although the battle ended in victory for the Entente forces, losses on both sides were heavy.
The battle is considered to have crystallised the stalemate on the Western Front, which would continue until 1918.
Posted by: Daniel Barry, Centenary News