First Battle of the Marne - Definition and Overview

The First Battle of the Marne was a World War I battle fought September 5 - 9, 1914. It was a French-British victory against the German army under General von Moltke.

The battle was a turning point in the First World War. Up to this point, the Germans had successfully penetrated far into France with a sweeping advance from the north. But on September 5, northeast of Paris, the French 6th Army under General Michel-Joseph Maunoury attacked German forces who were advancing on the capital. At this battle the French and British successfully halted the German advance, saving Paris from occupation. The German retreat that followed between September 9 and September 13 signified the abandonment of the Schlieffen Plan of invasion. In the aftermath of the battle both sides dug in, and four years of stalemate ensued.

Around 600 Paris taxicabs, mainly Renault AG, were commandeered by the French authorities and used to transport 6,000 French reserve infantry troops to the battle.

Over 2 million troops fought in the First Battle of the Marne and 100,000 were killed or wounded.

See also

• Second Battle of the Marne