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The First battle of Ypres - The First World War - 1914

The First battle of Ypres continued throughout most of November. The Allies success in holding back the German forces at Ypres led to the creation of a large Salient. (This is when the front line is not straight, the Allies pushed forwards into the German line creating a triangular front-line). The First battle of Ypres continued until November 24th.

The war at sea also continued, in the far southern oceans off the coast of Coronel. Von Spree, a German admiral had moved his forces out of the pacific upon the Japanese entry into the war on the side of the Allies. Whilst crossing the pacific he learnt of a small British fleet in the harbour at Coronel. Despite having good opportunity to avoid engaging the superior German force the British commander opted to engage the German fleet. Superior speed and poor conditions at sea left the British ships highly visible against the falling sun. Unable to return fire with all of their guns the British navy suffered it's first losses at sea. The ships Good hope and Monmouth were sunk, with the loss of 1600 lives. Von Spree's fleet suffered no casualties, nor any damage to their vessels.

On the Eastern Front the Germans attempted to prevent a prolonged war on two fronts by mounting an offensive at Lodz. The German forces moved south east of Warsaw, splitting the Russian forces. The Russians soon found themselves threatened with encirclement. To save the Russian Second army the commander in chief ordered the Fifth Army to abandon it's offensive into Silesia in order to relieve the embattled Second army. After covering 70 miles in two days the Russians launched a desperate attack in the bitter cold. The attack worked and almost destroyed the German forces who soon found themselves in danger of being surrounded. The German general Scheffer managed to make his escape to the north, taking with him some 16,000 Russian prisoners. Pressure from both sides continued throughout November until a Russian withdrawal from Lodz on December 6th. Another Stalemate had been met, the Russian advance into Silesia had been brought to an abrupt end, ensuring that the German border was safe and German intrusion towards Russia was halted. Both sides now took an opportunity to consolidate their positions.