Battle of the Lys (1940)

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 and the final major battle fought by Belgian troops before their surrender on 28 May. The battle was the bloodiest of the 18 Days' Campaign. The battle was named after the Leie (French: Lys), the river at which the battlefield occurred.

For the First World War battle, see Battle of the Lys (1918).
Battle of the Lys
Part of the Invasion of Belgium of World War II

Final Defensive Positions of the Allies along the Lys River
Date24–28 May 1940
Location
Region of Kortrijk (Southwest Flanders), Belgium
51°3′18″N 3°44′3″E
Result

German victory

  • Vinkt massacre
  • Belgian surrender on 28 May
Belligerents
 Belgium
 France
 United Kingdom		  Germany
Commanders and leaders
Leopold III (POW)
Oscar Michiels (POW)
Georges Blanchard
Alan Brooke		 Fedor von Bock
Georg von Küchler
Strength
500,000 12 divisions
Casualties and losses
40,000+ casualties unknown
320–400+ captured
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