The Race to the Sea, September-October 1914

What was the Race to the Sea?

The Race to the Sea was an attempt by the British and French to outflank the northern wing of the German Army and attack its rear, after their defeat at the Battle of the Marne. The 'race' only ended when the armies reached the North Sea coast.

Where was the Race to the Sea?

The Race to the Sea stretched for 125 miles. It started at the River Aisne in northern France and ended at the town of Nieuport on the North Sea coast of Belgium.

Which armies were involved in the Race to the Sea?

The Race to the Sea involved a combination of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF), the French Second Army and the Belgian Army fighting against the German Second and Sixth Armies.

When was the Race to the Sea?

The Race to the Sea began around the 17th September and lasted until the 19th October 1914.

What were the key battles of the Race to the Sea?

There was a series of battles that made up the Race to the Sea:

• ❖ The First Battle of the Aisne (13th-28th September 1914). Dug in troops made frontal attacks impossible so the French, British and Germans tried to go around the newly dug trenches and began moving northward.
• ❖ The Battles of Picardy and Albert (22nd-29th September 1914) took place as the armies moved through the Somme region of France, northwards towards Belgium.
• ❖ Battles of La Bassée, Messines and Armentières (10th October-2nd November 1914), were a series of battles in northern France which forced the British, French and German armies northwards towards the Belgian coast.
• ❖ The Battle of the Yser (18th October-30th November 1914) was the final battle of the race to sea. The Belgian army retreated from Antwerp and extra troops of the BEF landed in Belgium to block the coast from a German advance.

What were the events of the Race to the Sea?

The 'Race to the Sea' was an attempt by the BEF and French to outflank the German trenches along the River Aisne. This was a period of open warfare where both sides made wide use of their cavalry to move quickly ahead.

What were the outcomes of the Race to the Sea?

The 'Race to the Sea' is significant because it forced both sides to dig a line of unbroken trenches northwards to the coast. This line would become known as the Western Front and would stretch for 440 miles, from the North Sea to the Swiss border. Neither side could claim victory and it marked the beginning of trench warfare.