Battle of Messines

The Battle of Messines was fought in October 1914 between the armies of the German empire and British empire and France as part of the Race to the Sea, between the river Douve and the Comines–Ypres canal.From 17 September to 17 October the belligerents had made reciprocal attempts to turn the northern flank of their opponent. Joseph Joffre, the head of Grand Quartier Général ordered the French Second Army to move to the north of the 6th Army, by transferring by rail from eastern France from 2 to 9 September. Erich von Falkenhayn, Chief of Oberste Heeresleitung ordered the German 6th Army to move from the German–French border to the northern flank on 17 September. By the next day French attacks north of the Aisne, led to Falkenhayn ordering the 6th Army to repulse French forces to secure the flank.

Wikipedia