User:Champagnepapi22/sandbox

The Battle of Mons was one of the first major battles of World War 1, as it occurred within the first month of it. It really was the first major battle between the German and English forces. It started in Mons, Belgium on August 23, 1914. This battle helped the British, yet damaged them. It was the first battle that the British Expeditionary Force participated in World War 1. Although the British lost 1,638 men in the battle, the Germans are believed to have lost around 2,145 - 5,000 men. The British entered the war with 2 corps, 1 Cavalry division, 1 Cavalry brigade, or close to around 80,000 men. This was half of the Germans 160,000 men, 4 corps, and 3 cavalry divisions. The British had less men, but with the help of The French Fifth Army they were "winning." However when The French Fifth Army retreated, the British were forced to as well. As when the French retreated, it exposed the British right flank. It took two weeks for the British to retreat to the outskirts of Paris. Amount those killed included Lieutenant Maurice Deace, and Private Sidney Godley. The first two British soldiers to be awarded the Victoria Cross in the First World War. The battle lasted many days, and proved important to the shaping of World War 1.