The battle of the Marne (1914)

The German Schlieffen Plan (the war strategy on two fronts against Russia and France) provided the beginning of hostilities rapid roll through Belgium to Paris, a quick coverage of it from the West, take the city exit to the rear of the French forces and surrounded them. So the Germans had expected just a few weeks to bring France out of the war – and then to strike with all its might on the Russians.

This plan was launched at the beginning of the First World War. Violating the neutrality of Belgium, the German army passed through it and went further south. However, the strength to reach Paris from the West they didn’t have enough. The German command decided to adjust the Schlieffen Plan, to reduce the route of the troops, to abandon the French capital bypass, turn east and go behind enemy lines here.

On 1 September 1914 the 1st and 2nd German army (von crutch and von Bülow) rushed to the East of Paris, chasing the 5th army of the French and came to the English. On 4 September, the retreating allies rushed across the river Marne. Background Klok and von Bülow, entered into the breach, threatening to surround the enemy.

However, this maneuver exposed right flank and rear of the advancing Germans. Their defense dropped even more after sending the two German corps and the Russian armies of Rennenkampf and Samsonov invaded a cavalry division in East Prussia, which is much earlier than expected.

French commander Joffre was about to withdraw all their forces behind the Seine, but the head of the defense of Paris Gallieni noticed that the Germans opened the right flank and rear. He persuaded Joffre to organize a counter-offensive of the 6th French army Manure. In this direction, the British and French concentrated almost double human superiority.

5 September 1914 Manure started to kick. Background the Crutch had to begin redeployment of the troops from the Marne to the West, to Paris. Due to this, on 6 September, the British and French stopped their retreat over the Marne and began a supporting attack across the river, to Verdun in the East.