The Battle of Marne
September 5, 1914 – September 12, 1914
Where: Banks of Marne River, France – Western Front
Short Summary
In the early days of World War I, German troops had won a number of victories and invaded France through Belgium. This was part of the Schlieffen Plan. The British Expeditionary Force (BEF) and the French Fifth and Sixth Armies had retreated to the banks of Seine River, south of the Marne. By September 3, 1914, Paris had been evacuated and the government and civilians had moved. The French Sixth Army under the command of General Michel Maunoury launched an offensive against the German First Army, commanded by General Alexander von Kluck. The German Second Army, commanded by General Karl von Bülow, was about thirty-one miles behind General Von Kluck's troops. Having engaged the latter, French Commander in Chief Joseph Joffre ordered the French Fifth Army and the BEF to enter the gap between the two German armies, thus isolating them. Additional troops were rushed to support the French Sixth Army and by September 9, 1914, Chief of the German General Staff, General Helmuth von Moltke, ordered the German First and Second Armies to retreat. The Allied forces were successful in throwing back the Germans across the Marne. The German troops halted near the Aisne River.
Generals
Micheal-Joesph is the French general and Helmuth von Moltke is the Germany general
Outcome
The Battle of the Marne was a costly battle for both sides. While the French recorded 250,000 causalities, the BEF marked about 12,700 causalities. The German troops lost over 222,000 soldiers. The victory at the Battle of the Marne was a significant triumph for the Allied Powers, for it foiled German plans to invade Paris. Despite having captured sizable portions of northeastern France, the German troops were forced to settle for trench warfare that lasted the rest of World War I.
And the WINNER is.....
It resulted in an Allied victory against the German Army under Chief of Staff Helmuth von Moltke the Younger.
Number of troops for both sides//Number of causalities for both sides
French had 250,000 casualties, British had 12,700 and the German lost 222,000.
Technology used in the Battle of Marne
Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial
The Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial is a 42-acre World War I cemetery in Belleau, Northern France. It is at the foot of the hill where the Battle of Belleau Wood was fought, with many American fatalities.
Visiting the battle of Marne today
Made now into a cemetery in memorializing the lives lost during the war.
What's near the battle of Marne?
The war took place near the Eiffel Tower//Paris, France
Museums to Visit
Highlights :
- WWI day trip from Paris to Aisne, Marne and Meaux in France’s Picardy region
- See traces of battle as you explore the site of the deadly Battle of Belleau Wood
- Pay your respects to fallen American soldiers at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery
- Browse thousands of war-related artifacts at the Museum of the Great War in Meaux
- Small-group tour limited to 18 people ensures a more personalized experience