Flanders in History

Marlborough defeats the French at Oudenaarde and restores Allied strategic initiative in Flanders.

Marlborough supports the siege of Lille to weaken the principal French fortress system in Flanders.

Marlborough opens the 1709 campaign by investing Tournai before advancing toward Mons.

Allied forces secure Tournai after a prolonged siege, opening another route through Flanders.

Marlborough supports the siege of Douai as the Allies continue reducing the French defensive barrier.

Allied forces capture Bethune while Marlborough continues pressure on the fortified approaches to Flanders.

Conducts his final campaign before dismissal.

Marlborough manoeuvres through French defensive lines and opens the way toward Bouchain.

The capture of Bouchain crowns Marlborough's final active campaign in the Flanders theatre.

Appointed Captain General of all British land forces & the Allies in Flanders

Appointed Captain General of all British land forces & the Allies in Flanders

French shifts the BEF northward as both sides attempt to outflank each other toward Flanders.

French directs BEF operations as German attacks intensify around Ypres during the First Battle of Flanders.

French's BEF survives a major crisis around Gheluvelt as reserves restore the line east of Ypres.

French's army holds Ypres as the mobile campaign in Flanders settles into trench warfare.

The War Council meeting agrees French's plan for an offensive in Flanders

Plumer takes a major role in reorganising the defence of the Ypres salient during the gas crisis.

French sends reinforcements toward Ypres after German gas attacks rupture sections of the Allied line.

Plumer coordinates British resistance during heavy German attacks around Frezenberg Ridge.

Plumer continues defensive and local offensive operations around Bellewaarde in the Ypres salient.

Haig renews plans for a future offensive in Flanders against German positions near Ypres.

Haig renews planning for a major offensive in Flanders after the Somme campaign ends.

Plumer completes detailed artillery, mining and infantry preparations for the assault on Messines Ridge.

Plumer's Second Army attacks after huge mines explode beneath German positions on Messines Ridge.

Haig authorises the main Flanders offensive intended to break through east of Ypres.

Gough's Fifth Army opens the Third Ypres offensive with the attack on Pilckem Ridge.

Gough continues the offensive around Langemarck despite difficult ground and stronger German resistance.

Plumer uses limited objectives and heavy artillery support during the successful Menin Road attack.

Plumer continues the step-by-step advance with another carefully prepared attack around Polygon Wood.

Haig keeps Passchendaele Ridge as an objective despite mud, casualties and worsening weather.

Plumer's forces gain important ground at Broodseinde during the strongest phase of the Flanders offensive.

Haig shifts reserves north as the German offensive opens against the Flanders front.

Haig moves reserves north as the German Lys offensive threatens the British position in Flanders.

Haig issues his emergency order while German advances threaten British communications and positions in Flanders.

1st day of the Battle of Flanders

Plumer's Second Army advances with Belgian and French forces as German positions across Flanders collapse.

The Allies have advanced 8 miles & all the German defenses taken

The 2nd Allied attack of the Battle of Flanders commences

The Allies reach the Dutch border

The Allies reach a line running from Terneuzen, Ghent, Scheldt River, Ath & St Ghislan

Gort orders British forces toward the coast as the Allied position in Belgium deteriorates.

Gort prioritises routes through Flanders needed for the BEF's withdrawal toward evacuation ports.

The BEF withdrawal from positions in Flanders helps concentrate British forces for evacuation from Dunkirk.