The Battle of Haelen or Halen, also known as the Battle of the Silver Helmets (Dutch: Slag der Zilveren Helmen, French: Bataille des casques d'argent), was a cavalry battle at the beginning of World War I. Haelen (Halen in Dutch) was a small market town along the principal axis of advance of the German imperial army and provided a good crossing point over the River Gete. The battle took place on 12 August 1914 between German forces, led by Georg von der Marwitz, and the Belgian troops led by Léon de Witte and resulted in a tactical victory for the Belgians.