Race to the sea

The French are hoping for a quick sprint to victory. They attempt to finish off the German invaders by swinging their forces around to attack the Germans from behind – to ‘outflank’ them.

But the Germans manage to block the French by extending their front line northwards – this is called the Battle of the Aisne (15–18 September). Throughout the rest of September and October both sides unsuccessfully try to outflank each other in a ‘Race to the Sea’.

The race ends with German defeat at the First Battle of Ypres (15 October–22 November). There is now a 750km front line running all the way from the Franco-German-Swiss border to the North Sea.

Winter is approaching and both sides are too exhausted to launch further attacks. The soldiers begin to ‘dig in’, building the trenches that will become the hallmark of the Western Front.