Battle of Haelen 1914 • Contemporary Era
Discovering the battle
12 August 1914 French victory

Battle of Haelen

First World War – Belgian Front · Haelen, Belgium

Summary

Cavalry engagement on 12 August 1914 at Halen (Belgian Limburg), also called the Battle of the Silver Helmets. De Witte's Belgian troops, supported by a French detachment, repulsed the cavalry charges of Georg von der Marwitz's Germans on the Gette, slowing the German advance but not preventing the later withdrawal toward Antwerp.

Historical context

On 12 August 1914, at the start of the invasion of Belgium, the Belgian high command chose the Gette as a natural defensive line to halt the German advance toward the north and Antwerp. Lieutenant General Léon de Witte had to defend a line of about 14 km from Drieslinter to Halen with limited forces, reinforced in the afternoon by the 4th mixed brigade (about 2,800 men).

Tactics

Convinced of their superiority, the Germans chose old-style cavalry charges at the gallop with drawn sabres. Advised to fight dismounted against German jägers equipped with Maxim machine guns, the Belgians positioned lancers, guides, cyclists and artillery on concealed positions. German charges were shattered by crossfire from infantry, Hotchkiss machine guns and field artillery.

Consequences

Although limited in scope, historians regard the battle as the last major cavalry charge on the Western Front. It was a temporary success for the Belgian army, which then had to withdraw toward the fortress of Antwerp. Sources put losses at about 3,000 Germans killed and 1,100 Belgians killed or missing, with 200 German prisoners.

Location

Place : Haelen, Belgium
Coordinates : 50.978°N, 5.136°E

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