Ypres, Belgium.
Torrential rain poured down mercilessly, the dense web of water cascading like a waterfall over the earth, gathering into streams and mud pools, enveloping the entire world in a misty haze.
Between the enemy and our front lines was a few kilometers of dark grey death zone, scattered craters and sparse corpses suggesting the battle here had only just begun.
About ten kilometers to its west, behind an inconspicuous small hill, lay a modest ten-square-meter earthwork, serving as the Belgian Army's central command.
Major General Charles, commander of the Belgian First Army, suggested to King Albert I amidst the rain:
"Your Majesty, I believe we should retreat!"
"Ypres forms a salient on the entire front line; it is flat on the west and hilly on the east, giving the Germans a commanding advantage over us."
"Moreover, we are naturally surrounded by the Germans, making it very difficult to hold our position!"
