World War: Battle to the Sea

Digging a tunnel under the English Channel from Calais to Dover (22 mi.) is a project discussed since Napoleon's time, repeatedly vetoed by Britain* lest it bring an invader from the Continent. Last week both Britain and France might have devoutly thanked God for such a passageway had it been bombproof. After the abrupt surrender of Belgian King Leopold (see p. 32), some 600,000 survivors of the northern Allied Armies were locked in a triangular trap between the Lys River, the Artois Hills and the North Sea (see map). As 800,000 Germans on the ground and thousand more in the sky...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!