Flanders, Battle of

In World War I, the series of actions as the British troops advanced into Belgium and northern France September–November 1918, driving the German forces out of the Benelux area and back into Germany. This encompasses the battles of the Yser and Ypres.

The overall plan conceived by the British commander, Field Marshal Douglas Haig, was to develop a series of attacks along the entire length of the British front from Dixmude to the Ypres salient. A group of French, Belgian, and British armies was assembled under the Belgian King Albert, and the assault began 28 September 1918. By 1 October, the Allies had advanced 13 km/8 mi and taken the major German defensive lines. The Allies consolidated and reorganized for two weeks, then continued their advance, reaching the Dutch frontier 20 October. They then began pushing the Germans east back into Germany itself and by 11 November had linked up with Haig's main group.