1914: Mons to Christmas

In August 1914, the British Expeditionary Force was sent across the Channel to support France. Although a small force compared with the German and French armies, it was to play a role out of all proportion to its numbers. But the cost was huge, and by December 1914 the original force had been almost wiped out.

BEF arrives

Following the outbreak of war, Field Marshal Sir John French’s British Expeditionary Force (BEF) was sent across the Channel to support France. These were well-trained and experienced soldiers. 

Comprising only four (later reinforced to six) infantry and one cavalry divisions – some 90,000 men – the BEF was tiny compared with the German and French armies.

‘It is my Imperial command that you concentrate your energies… upon one single purpose, and that is that you address all your skill and all the valour of my soldiers to exterminate the treacherous English and walk over General French’s contemptible little army.’