[Illustration: +The general situation, when the offensive in Flanders was launched.+] After an interruption of several days, owing to bad weather, the offensive was continued on October 14. On October 15, Belgian divisions holding the inundated front, from Dixmude to Nieuport, crossed the Yser in pursuit of the enemy, who hurriedly retreated to the north-east. On October 17, the Belgian infantry reached Ostend, while their cavalry, before the gates of Bruges, heard the belfry chimes joyfully announce the precipitate departure of the last of the enemy troops. The Allies' advance had been so rapid that the Germans had not time to set fire to the city. On the coast, the port of Zeebrugge, together with huge quantities of stores, fell into the hands of the Belgians. The whole of the maritime Plain of Flanders was thus liberated. The exhausted, demoralised enemy were in full retreat. [Illustration: +The Two Stages in the Flanders Offensive.+] On November 11, beyond Ghent, the Armistice saved them from the utter rout into which their defeat was fast degenerating. A Visit to the Battlefield of the YSER AND THE BELGIAN COAST. [Illustration: +The Itinerary starts from Dunkirk and is divided into four days.+] _First day:_ =Dunkirk, Nieuport, Ostend= _(pp. 24-66.)_ _Second day:_ =Ostend, Zeebrugge, Bruges= _(pp. 67-85.)_ _Third day:_ =Bruges= _(pp. 86-111.)_ _Fourth day:_ =Bruges, Dixmude, Poperinghe= _(pp. 112-127.)_ _Poperinghe is the nearest touring centre to Ypres. For the itineraries between Ypres and Lille, see the Michelin Guide: ="Ypres, and the Battles of Ypres"=._ [Illustration: PLAN OF DUNKIRK. A. +Church of St-Éloi.+ B. +Belfry.+ D. +Church of John-the-Baptist.+ E. +Chapel of Notre-Dame des Dunes.+ F. +Church of St-Martin.+ H. +Hôtel-de-Ville.+ T. +Theatre.+] [Illustration] DUNKIRK. Origin and Chief Historical Events. The first mention in history of Dunkirk goes back to the 10th century. As early as the 12th century, it proved to be an "Apple of Discord" between the kings of France and the counts of Flanders. Few towns have had such a stirring history. Ten times besieged, it was taken by Condé in 1646. Recaptured at a later period by the Spaniards, it was given back to the French by Turenne, after the battle of the Dunes (1658). Louis XIV ceded it to his ally Cromwell, but redeemed it from Charles II of England in 1662.