The Battle of The Marne

Battle Name : The Battle of The Marne

Date(s) : 03 September 1914 - 09 September 1914

Part of : First World War , The Western Front ,

Outcome : A victory for French & British Forces over German Forces

Type of battle : Land

Summary

Considered a pivotal battle in both the War and history in general, the 1st Battle of the Marne marked an end of the war of movement and the beginning of the trench warfare which was to last for the next 4 years.
Following the defeats of the Battles of the Frontiers, the French and British forces retreated in some dissaray back to the Marne, while new corps were organised to protect Paris and shore up the wavering line across France. The advancing German 1st and 2nd Armies followed close behind, reaching the Marne on the 3rd Sept but as the 1st began a westward sweep to encircle Paris, a gap opened between them. The 1st Army was then ordered to turn east to close the gap, just as the French, followed by the BEF turned about and counter-attacked.
With the French 6th Army attacking the German flank, Von Kluck wheeled his 1st Army to face it, re-opening the gap with the 2nd Army into which the French 5th Army advanced, followed by the BEF. Other French forces attacked all along the line for 100 miles and on the 9th the whole German line was forced to fall back to the Aisne. There they dug in along the heights.