Battle of the Lys (1940)

Battle of Lys
Part of the Invasion of Belgium of World War II
Date 23–28 May 1940 Location Region of Kortrijk (Southwest Flanders), Belgium and Nord-Pas-de-Calais 51°3′18″N 3°44′3″E / 51.05500°N 3.73417°E / 51.05500; 3.73417Coordinates: 51°3′18″N 3°44′3″E / 51.05500°N 3.73417°E / 51.05500; 3.73417 Result German victory Belgian surrender on 28 May
Belligerents
Belgium  France	Nazi Germany
Commanders and leaders
Leopold III	Walter von Reichenau Georg von Küchler
Strength
Unknown	Unknown
Casualties and losses
3,000 killed	1,500 killed

The Battle of the Lys (French: Bataille de la Lys, Dutch: Leieslag) was a major battle between Belgian and German forces during the German Invasion of Belgium of 1940. The battle was named after the river Leie (known as Lys in French), where the battlefield was situated (in Belgium and in Nord-Pas-de-Calais).

• 

  16 May

• 

  21 May: troops in Abbeville

• 

  4 June: Dunkerque

Trivia

In the Albertpark in the citycentre of Kortrijk, the Battle of the Lys is commemorated every year near the Monument of the Lys.

See also

• Fall Gelb

External links

• "Memoriaal Mei 1940" Museum of the Battle of the Lys (Leieslag)