British Expeditionary Force

The British Expeditionary Force (BEF) is primarily the first seven Divisions sent to France at the outset of the First World War and forming the "Contemptible Little Army." The "Expeditionary Force" was the term officially adopted some time before the war for the British contingent normally available for services overseas in the event of a European War, its normal strength being fixed at three divisions. It replaced the original term for the contingent, "The Striking Force," and in the war was applied to overseas contingents everywhere, for example: Egyptian Expeditionary Force, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, depeding on location.

See also Old Contemptibles.

Chronological events

The following events form part of "The Great War: On this day" project. It has been primarily sourced from volumes 1, 2 and 3 of Chronology of the War (1918-1920), edited by Lord Edward Gleichen. The source material identifies concise, historical events in simple, chronological order.

1914

• 07 Aug - Begins to land in France.
• 16 Aug - Landing completed.
• 21 Aug - Concentration effected.
• 03 Oct - Removal from the Aisne begun.
• 19 Oct - Establishment of in Flanders complete.

The above term is listed in our Compendium of the Great War.

This compendium forms the central hub of words, phrases, people, and places relative to the Great War period of 1914–1918. These also include battles, political events, ships, trench slang, British and American service terms and expressions in everyday use, nicknames, sobriquets, the titles of British and Commonwealth Regiments and their origins, and also warfare in general. These words and phrases are contemporary with the war, which is reflected in the language used, some of which may seem derogatory by today's standards. Feel free to expand upon and improve this content.

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