The Battle of Armentières 20 October–2 November 1914

When III Corps of the British Army landed at St Omer on 10 October 1914 they were immediately ordered to march towards Lille. On 13 October, they reached the River Lys, driving back the German defenders, followed by an advance along the river to the town of Armentières, capturing it on 17 October. The facing German units of the 6th Army remained passive, waiting in reserve for the 4th Army’s concurrent offensive in Belgium against the Allies along the Yser. Finally, on 20 October the Germans began their counterattack, which reached its climax on 29 October, as part of the general German offensive in the Battle of Gheluvelt. The British defenders withstood the onslaught, yielding minimal ground. The main battle ended on 2 November, although sporadic hostilities continued for some time afterward