Battle of Flirey
{'<entity_0>': 'First World War battle', '<entity_1>': '19 September 1914', '<entity_2>': 'Battle of Flirey', '<entity_3>': '11 October 1914', '<entity_4>': 'France', '<entity_5>': 'Verdun', '<entity_6>': 'Flirey', '<entity_7>': 'battle'}
[['Battle of Flirey', 'location', 'Flirey'], ['Battle of Flirey', 'end time', '11 October 1914'], ['Battle of Flirey', 'start time', '19 September 1914'], ['Battle of Flirey', 'point in time', '11 October 1914'], ['Battle of Flirey', 'instance of', 'battle'], ['Battle of Flirey', 'location', 'Verdun'], ['Battle of Flirey', 'location', 'France'], ['Battle of Flirey', 'description', 'First World War battle']]
The <entity_2> (<entity_4>: 1re Bataille de <entity_6>) was a <entity_0> fought from <entity_1> – <entity_3>. The <entity_7> cut most of the roads and railways to the strategically important Fortified Region of <entity_5> (Région Fortifiée de <entity_5> ) and was to have a large effect on the course of the war. A series of German fortifications were built before the war, along the Moselle (especially around the city of Metz), while across the border, a matching set of <entity_4> fortifications was established along the Meuse around <entity_5> and Toul. Recognising that it is easier to defend the heights alongside the Meuse (as opposed to the plain between the Moselle and Meuse), a German attack was planned to seize the heights, to deny access to the Woëvre Plain to the Allies, isolate <entity_5> and reduce the ability of the <entity_4> to attack German territory. The attack commenced on <entity_1>, with German cavalry from Metz skirmishing with the <entity_4> defenders in the Dieulouard–Martincourt area. More <entity_4> reinforcements arrived on 27 September but as the Germans were now firmly entrenched, <entity_4> counter-attacks between <entity_6> and Apremont resulted in little change in the front line. <entity_4> counter-attacks continued until <entity_3>. The <entity_7> created a salient projecting into the <entity_4> lines south of <entity_5>, named the St Mihiel Salient. Of the two roads and one railway that led to <entity_5>, all but a minor road were closed, which imposed severe supply difficulties on the <entity_4> troops in the RFV. Despite attempts by the <entity_4> to reduce the salient in the First Battle of Woëvre in early 1915, the First Offensive Battle of <entity_5> in late 1916 and the Second Offensive Battle of <entity_5> in 1917, the salient was not reduced until the Battle of Saint-Mihiel in September 1918.
['battle']