The Battle of Haelen, also known as the Battle of Silver Helmets, was fought on August 12, 1914. The conflict was between the German cavalry and the Belgian cavalry. While the majority of German forces were battling to take the fortresses at Liege and move forward through Belgium, the German cavalry was sent to cross the Meuse River north of Liege and advance through Belgium at Louvain. The German cavalry fought under the command of General Georg von de Marwitz.
On the morning of August 12, the German cavalry arrived at Haelen and prepared to cross the bridge there. However, they encountered a prepared Belgian cavalry, fighting under General de Witte. The two cavalry fought throughout the day. The significant difference between the two cavalry was that the Belgian cavalry dismounted and fought as infantrymen.
The Germans launched numerous and repeated attacks against the Belgian forces but their sabers and lances could not hold against the unexpected Belgian rifle fire. The Germans fought until 6pm that evening having begun the attack around 8am. Frustrated Marwitz and the German cavalry were forced to withdraw from the bridge at Haelen that evening.
In all the Germans suffered nearly 1000 casualties that August day in 1914; 200 – 300 were taken prisoner by the Belgians, 150 were killed and 600 Germans were wounded. Belgian forces suffered approximately half that number in casualties.
The Battle of Haelen was a tremendous victory for the Allied Forces. Although the Belgians held the bridge at Haelen, the remainder of the German army won the Battle of Liege on August 16 and the German army continued their advance through and takeover of neutral Belgium.
The Battle of the Ardennes was fought between August 21 and August 23, 1914. It was among the Battles of the Frontier, of World War I. The battle was born out of confusion and the collision of French and German invasion forces in the Ardennes forest. The French had determined, through pre-war efforts, that German presence would be light in the area of the Ardennes. Using this information the French 3rd and 4th Armies determined to advance through the Ardennes and initiate an offensive attack on the Germans. In fact, the German 4th and 5th Armies were advancing through the Ardennes forest as part of an offensive attack.
The forest was thick with fog on the Morning of August 21, 1914. The two armies fell upon each other in the fog. Throughout August 21 the two armies fought in several minor battles; wherever they happened to stumble upon one another.
The following day the battle was fought on a grander scale. The French were heavily outnumbered. The 3rd and 4th French armies fought valiantly, advancing with bayonets. They believed their spirit would carry them to victory. However, the French quickly learned that spirit alone does not win a battle.
The Germans held superior tactical positions. The 4th and 5th German armies met the French bayonets with entrenched machine guns, and superior artillery. The French continued to fight for the honor of their country throughout the 22nd and 23rd of August suffering heavy casualties.
The French armies began a chaotic retreat late in the afternoon of August 23, 1814. The Third Army retreated to Verdun pursued by the German Fifth Army. The Fourth Army retreated to Sudan followed by their German counterparts.
The loss of the Battle of Ardennes was significant. The French suffered not only heavy casualties during the battle but also the loss of iron resources. In addition, the French lost the strategic positions needed to halt the German advance into France.
The Battle of Mulhouse was the first French initiated battle of World War I. The battle had as much to do with French pride as it did military strategy. Mulhouse, which was located near the Swiss border in Alsace, had been a French province. France lost the city to Germany as part of the settlement that ended the Franco-Prussian War in 1871. French Commander in Chief Joseph Joffre intended to return Mulhouse to French control, restoring national pride and providing a base for continued operations to the north. Joffre sent the Seventh Corps, under the command of General Bonneau, over the Vosges Mountains to claim Mulhouse.
On August 7, 1914, General Bonneau led his men with bayonets drawn over the Vosges Mountains. Bonneau’s men easily captured Altkirch, a small town with a population of merely 4,000, as they advanced toward Mulhouse. During this small battle, the Seventh Corp suffered only 100 casualties.
General Bonneau found it suspicious that there was little German activity surrounding Altkirch and nearby Mulhouse and slowed his pace. He was fearful of walking into a German trap. However, Commander Joffre insisted the men move forward and on the morning of August 8 the Seventh Corps entered and captured Mulhouse without ever firing a shot. The German occupants had already vacated the city.
On the morning of August 9, 1914 German reserve troops arrived from Strasbourg and launched a counter attack on the nearby city of Cernay. Bonneau’s men fought fiercely throughout the day and into the night but could not hold the city against the superior German Army. French reinforcements were slow to come to the aid of the Seventh Corps. By the time reinforcements arrived Bonneau’s men were retreating in order to avoid capture by the German Army.
Commander in Chief Joffre accused General Bonneau of not being aggressive enough during the battle to save Mulhouse from recapture, and immediately relieved him of his command. Bonneau was replaced by General Paul Marie Pau. General Pau would soon be bested by the Germans in the Battle of Lorraine.