 The village of Fromelles was captured by advancing German forces on 9 October 1914 during the "Race to the Sea".Throughout almost the whole of the war, the front line was stable, running through the territory of the "commune" and leaving the inhabited area in German hands.The Battle of Aubers Ridge was fought in the area to the northwest of the village on 9 May 1915 as part of the Second Battle of Artois.