Battles & Campaigns · 1914
Battle of Le Cateau
Le Cateau-Cambrésis, France
What happened
After the battles of Mons and Charleroi, the tired British II Corps was retreating. Smith-Dorrien decided his men were too worn out to keep marching and stood to fight at Le Cateau. After a long artillery battle, his line began to give way around noon, and that night II Corps slipped away.
Why it matters
The Germans won the ground, but the stand slowed their pursuit. The Germans thought they had beaten the whole British army, so they rested instead of following, which helped II Corps escape.
What came next
The Allied retreat continued until the First Battle of the Marne in early September 1914 stopped the German advance.
Did you know?
A second battle was fought in the same area in October 1918, near the end of the war.
Timeline
- 23 Aug 1914Battle of Mons.
- 26 Aug 1914Battle of Le Cateau.
- 5 Sep 1914The Great Retreat ends.
- 5–12 Sep 1914First Battle of the Marne.