Caption: "British troops are greeted by French children after four years of occupation." Lille is the largest city in French Flanders. It is situated on the Deule River, near France's border with Belgium. Between October 4-13, 1914, the troops in Lille tricked the Germans by convincing them that Lille possessed more artillery than was the case, the city had only a single cannon. Despite the deception, the German bombardments destroyed over 2,200 buildings and homes. When the Germans realized they had been tricked, they burned down an entire section of town, and occupied the city. Lille was liberated by the British on October 17, 1918, when General Sir William Birdwood and his troops were welcomed by joyous crowds.