the British Expeditionary Force
/ðə ˌbrɪtɪʃ ekspəˈdɪʃənri fɔːs/
/ðə ˌbrɪtɪʃ ekspəˈdɪʃəneri fɔːrs/
(abbreviation the BEF)
- the name used for the first groups of British soldiers sent to fight on the continent of Europe in both the First World War and the Second World War