The Battle of Ypres refers to a series of battles fought during World War I in the area around the Belgian town of Ypres. The first major battle took place in 1914, marking one of the early confrontations between the Allied Powers and the Central Powers. This battle was notable for the extensive use of trench warfare and the introduction of chemical weapons, particularly chlorine gas. Subsequent battles at Ypres occurred in 1915 and 1917, with the second battle being infamous for the first large-scale use of poison gas by the Germans. The battles resulted in heavy casualties on both sides and became symbolic of the brutal nature of World War I, highlighting the challenges of modern warfare and the resilience of the soldiers involved.