After the declaration of war, the British Expeditionary Force mobalised for Europe to face the oncoming German Army. They would meet and engage for the first time around the little Belgium town of Mons.

Vastly outnumbered, the British forces fought with determination along the banks of the Mons-Conde Canal. Their resistance was fierce, holding back the Germans for a crucial day, but ultimately, the weight of numbers forced a retreat. Here is a brief overview of how the 23rd August played out for both sides.

Early Morning: Deployment and First Contact

The BEF’s II Corps, commanded by General Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien, held a 20-mile defensive line along the Mons–Condé Canal. The British forces, numbering around 70,000 men, were stretched thin against the 160,000 German troops advancing south. The first German probes began at dawn, with cavalry and infantry patrols testing British positions. Skirmishes flared near Obourg, Nimy, and Mariette bridges.

Late Morning: The Opening Engagements

At Nimy Bridge, the 4th Battalion Royal Fusiliers under Captain Ashburner faced repeated attacks. The defence was so tenacious that two Victoria Crosses were later awarded here to Lieutenant Maurice Dease and Private Sidney Godley for manning machine-guns under devastating fire. To the east at Obourg, the Royal Irish Regiment repelled waves of German infantry. Accounts describe how disciplined British rifle fire – the famed “mad minute,” capable of 15 aimed rounds per soldier per minute, inflicted heavy casualties. German soldiers initially believed they were under sustained machine-gun fire.

Early Afternoon: Pressure Mounts

By midday, German artillery was brought forward, subjecting British positions to increasingly heavy shellfire. The 3rd Division was hammered by assaults along the canal, particularly at St. Ghislain and Mariette, where bridges became focal points of desperate fighting. Despite being outnumbered, the BEF inflicted severe losses on the Germans. However, the weight of numbers and artillery superiority began to tell.

Mid-Afternoon: The German Push

Around 3 p.m., German troops forced crossings east of Mons, threatening to outflank the defenders. Fierce fighting at Nimy and Obourg gradually overwhelmed British defenders, with units withdrawing only after sustaining heavy casualties. Communication difficulties meant that some units held on longer than intended, suffering almost to annihilation.

Evening: The Order to Retreat

By 5 p.m., with German forces pressing across the canal and the French Fifth Army withdrawing on the BEF’s right flank, Field Marshal French ordered a general retreat. The withdrawal was conducted under fire, with rear-guard actions fought by exhausted units. The British pulled back in good order, but the battle had cost over 1,600 British casualties in a single day. German losses were far heavier, with some estimates exceeding 5,000.

Legacy of the 23rd August 1914

The stand at Mons demonstrated the professionalism of the pre-war British Army. Though forced to retreat, the BEF had inflicted disproportionate casualties on the German army and bought valuable time for the Allies. However, it became obvious to many very quickly, that war would not be over by Christmas, not with the numbers of men involved and the technology of the day.

What Can I see in Mons Today?

Your expert guide can weave together pertinent locations that allow you to imagine the fierce actions of resistance, followed by the fighting retreat. Here are some must see stops:

Nimy Bridge - Standing on the bridge, visitors can picture these desperate hours, where a handful of men held back overwhelming German numbers.

St. Symphorien Military Cemetery - Tucked away on the outskirts of Mons, St. Symphorien Military Cemetery is often described as one of the most beautiful and thought-provoking cemeteries of the First World War.

Spend time at the grave of Lieutenant Maurice James Dease VC. Dease commanded a machine-gun section at the Nimy Railway Bridge. As the German army pressed hard against the British line, Dease and his men came under intense fire. Despite being repeatedly wounded, Dease stayed at his post, directing and operating the machine gun to hold back the German advance and cover the retreat of his men. He refused to leave his position until he physically could no longer continue. Even then, he insisted on making sure the gun was still in action before finally collapsing. Dease died later of his wounds. Dease’s actions that day earned him the Victoria Cross, the first to be awarded in the Great War.

Here lie Private John Parr, the first British soldier killed in action in August 1914, and Private George Edwin Ellison, the last British soldier killed in action on 11th November 1918. Their graves are just metres apart, create a powerful symmetry that makes this cemetery unique in the world.

British and German soldiers are buried here. For visitors, this offers a moving reminder that sacrifice was shared, no matter the uniform.

Regular visitors to Commonwealth War Graves cemeteries will be struck at how different the design is here. It is landscaped with mounds, mounds, trees, and curved pathways, giving it more a secret garden feel, discovering new soldier stories at each turn.

The Grand Place of Mons - fighting took place in the town itself in both 1914, but also in 1918 when the Canadians fought into the town, liberating it on 11th November. The Grand Place is a charming centre and offers a wonderful lunch stop for hungry battlefield tourists.

Visit Mons

At Sophie’s Great War Tours, we believe history is best experienced where it happened. Our tours are designed for history lovers who want more than just dates and names, we bring the stories of Mons to life, combining detailed knowledge with a sincere appreciation of the past.

Get in touch with Sophie’s Great War Tours today to begin planning your visit to the Mons battlefields. Together, we’ll turn history into an unforgettable journey.

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