The Battle of the Frontiers refers to a series of four battles occurring from August 14, 1914 through September 7, 1914. The Battle was fought on a grand scale with Germany and France each committing 1,000,000 to the cause. The line of battle stretched from the Swiss Frontier to Mons in Belgium. The four battles included in the Battle of the Frontiers were; the Battle of Lorraine (August 14 – September 7), the Battle of Ardennes (August 20 – 25), the Battle of Charleroi (August 22-23), and the Battle of Mons (August 23).
The Battle of Lorraine was a French initiative against German forces. There were several reasons for its usefulness. Alsace-Lorraine was a French territory until its loss in 1871, after the Franco-Prussian War. It was therefore a priority to the French to insure its return. Additionally, the French believed that a French initiative would allow the Russians more time to prepare to win the war. The French attacked on August 14 and advanced for four days with little resistance from the Germans. This was part of a trap by the Germans. By August 18 the French Army had taken the city of Sarrebourg. During the night between August 19 and 20 the Germans launched a counter-attack designed to pin the French in place. The French army retreated back to its starting point 6 days earlier. The Germans continued to press the French through the first week of September; however the French Army held their ground.
The Battle of Ardennes saw the French surprised by the Germans. Having done reconnaissance the French believed that there were no Germans in the area and expected to advance through Ardennes with little effort. However German aircraft had detected French movement and the German Army prepared for battle. During the battle the 3rd Colonial Division of the French army lost 11,000 of its 15,000 men. The French retreated.
The Battle of Charleroi saw another retreat by the French army. The French Commander-in-chief, General Joffre, did not believe the Germans would attack through Belgium, despite the German violation of Belgium neutrality, and so sent only the small French Fifth Army to defend the area. The French were severely attacked by three German Armies and were forced to retreat after only 2 days of battle.
The Battle of Mons was fought by the BEF (British Expeditionary Force) who had arrived in the second week of August to assist France. Sir John French commander of the BEF had been expecting to join the French Fifth Army on Aug 22 and defend the Mons-Condé canal against German attack; however, that Army was fighting the battle of Charleroi. Commander French attempted to hold the area and succeeded for the entire day of August 23. Although outnumbered, the BEF were expert riflemen. Due to the French Fifth Army’s retreat on that same night, The BEF were also forced to retreat.