The Battle of Leuven was a significant military engagement that took place during World War I in 1914. It involved the forces of the German Empire and the Belgian Army, as well as the British Expeditionary Force. The battle was part of the larger campaign known as the Race to the Sea, where both sides aimed to outflank each other. The fighting in Leuven resulted in heavy casualties and significant destruction, particularly in the city itself. The battle highlighted the brutal nature of trench warfare and the challenges faced by the Allied Powers in defending Belgium against the advancing German troops.