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.