Importance
The historical importance of the Battle of the Yser is twofold. First, Germany did not manage to defeat the Belgian army and knock Belgium out of the war. Second, the German failure to occupy the last corner of Belgium helped to conclude the Race to the Sea and contributed to the establishment of the Western front.
The struggle of the Belgian army to hold on to its territory during the remainder of the war, and especially the experiences of ordinary Flemish foot soldiers, led to an increased Flemish national consciousness in the then overwhelmingly Francophone-dominated Belgian society.
-
Belgian Commemorative Medal (Front)
-
Belgian Commemorative Medal (Obverse)
-
Belgian Commemorative medal
-
French Fusiliers marins being decorated
Read more about this topic: Battle Of The Yser
Famous quotes containing the word importance:
“A man’s personal defects will commonly have with the rest of the world precisely that importance which they have to himself. If he makes light of them, so will other men.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
“In my public statements I have earnestly urged that there rested upon government many responsibilities which affect the moral and spiritual welfare of our people. The participation of women in elections has produced a keener realization of the importance of these questions and has contributed to higher national ideals. Moreover, it is through them that our national ideals are ingrained in our children.”
—Herbert Hoover (1874–1964)
“We ought to esteem it of the greatest importance that the fictions which children first hear should be adapted in the most perfect manner to the promotion of virtue.”
—Plato (c. 427–347 B.C.)