Battle of the Chemin-des-Dames

9.6

A World War I battle in France in May 1918 where a German attack first succeeds but later fails

noun

: Batalla del Chemin-des-Dames

The Battle of the Chemin-des-Dames was a major conflict in May 1918 where German forces initially made significant gains.

Examples

Many soldiers lost their lives during the Battle of the Chemin-des-Dames in May 1918.
Historians often analyze the Battle of the Chemin-des-Dames for its strategic implications in the war.
The Battle of the Chemin-des-Dames marked a turning point in World War I battle tactics.
The Battle of the Chemin-des-Dames was a significant event in World War I.
Many soldiers fought bravely in the Battle of the Chemin-des-Dames.
Many historians consider the Battle of the Chemin-des-Dames an important event that influenced the overall course of World War I.
During the Battle of the Chemin-des-Dames, the harsh conditions took a heavy toll on the soldiers involved.

Surface Forms

Battle of the Chemin-des-Dames singular

Morphology

battle + of + the + Chemin-des-Dames

The construction 'Battle of [place]' is compositionally transparent: 'battle' plus a place-name (Chemin-des-Dames) straightforwardly indicates a battle that took place at that location. A B1 learner who knows 'battle' and recognises the final element as a toponym will understand it names a specific historical battle, even if they do not know the precise historical details.

Etymology

Battle of the Chemin-des-Dames gets its name from a high ridge and a narrow road called Chemin des Dames, which in French means 'path of the ladies', where soldiers fought in May 1918. Because the fighting happened on that road and ridge, the name now means 'a major World War I battle' fought there.