First units of the British Expeditionary Force in France
Contemporary chronicles of the war record 7 August 1914 as the day on which the first units of the British Expeditionary Force landed on the French coast. These were small parties sent ahead to prepare for the reception of the main body. The mass transport of the army across the English Channel began a few days later and lasted until the middle of August.
Preparations on the spot
Before tens of thousands of soldiers with horses, guns and supplies could arrive in France, ports, depots, camps and rail transport had to be prepared. This was the task of the first units and staff officers. The main ports of disembarkation were Le Havre, Boulogne-sur-Mer and Rouen. The troops sailed mainly from Southampton.
The crossing
Moving the army was a major logistical operation, prepared before the war. Ships crossed the Channel day and night, escorted by vessels of the Royal Navy, which guarded the strait against attack by the German fleet. The operation was a complete success: not a single transport was sunk, and for a long time the Germans did not realise its scale.
The main body, the I Corps of General Douglas Haig and II Corps, crossed between 12 and 17 August. On 14 August the commander-in-chief, Field Marshal John French, arrived at Boulogne. From the ports the soldiers were taken by rail to the area of Maubeuge near the Belgian border, on the left wing of the French army.
Significance
The arrival of the British was an important signal to France that its ally was keeping its commitments. The Expeditionary Force initially consisted of four infantry divisions and a cavalry division, less than a single French army, but its soldiers were well-trained professionals. As early as 23 August they fought their first battle, at Mons.
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Meanwhile
(04)Elsewhere in the same days.
- 7 August 1914 · War at seaHMS Gloucester attacks Goeben and Breslau off GreeceOn 7 August 1914 the British cruiser Gloucester shadowed the German ships Goeben and Breslau and opened fire on Breslau off the coast of Greece.
- 6 August 1914 · Balkan FrontSerbia declares war on GermanyOn 6 August 1914 Serbia declared war on Germany, ally of Austria-Hungary. The two states had no common border, but the declaration was a political statement.
- 6 August 1914 · Eastern FrontAustria-Hungary declares war on RussiaOn 6 August 1914 the Austro-Hungarian ambassador in St Petersburg handed over the declaration of war. The monarchy's main front shifted to Galicia.
- 6 August 1914 · War at seaAdmiral von Spee's squadron leaves PohnpeiOn 6 August 1914 Admiral von Spee's German East Asia Squadron sailed from Pohnpei in the Carolines. Its odyssey across the Pacific had begun.
Related events
(04)The same battle, people or subject.
- 16 August 1914 · Western FrontBritish Expeditionary Force completes its landing in FranceOn 16 August 1914 the landing of the original British Expeditionary Force in France was completed. The crossing was made without loss.
- 26 August 1914 · Western FrontBattle of Le CateauOn 26 August 1914 Smith-Dorrien's II Corps stood and fought at Le Cateau against the wishes of GHQ. It paid a high price but halted the German pursuit.
- 12 September 1914 · Western FrontBattle of the Aisne beginsOn 12 September 1914 the British and French, pursuing the Germans after the Marne, reached the Aisne. The Germans dug in on the heights beyond the river.
- 23 August 1914 · Western FrontBattle of MonsOn 23 August 1914 the British Expeditionary Force fought its first battle at Mons. It inflicted heavy losses on the Germans but had to begin a retreat.