French On The Firing Line

The First Battle of the Marne was fought September 6-12, 1914, during World War I(1914-1918) and marked the limit of Germany's initial advance into France. Having implemented the Schlieffen Plan at the war's outset, German forces swung through Belgium and into France from north. Though pushing back French and British forces, a gap opened between two armies on the German right wing.

Exploiting this, the Allies attacked into the gap and threatened to encircle the German First and Second Armies. This forced the Germans to halt their advance and retreat behind the Aisne River. Dubbed the "Miracle of the Marne", the battle saved Paris, ended German hopes of a quick victory in the west, and touched off the "Race to the Sea" which would create the front that would largely hold for the next four years.