First Battle of the Marne
1914 · Marne, France · World · Modern
The allies counterattacked through the gap on the German right wing, forcing the Germans to fall back.
Belligerents
Anglo-French coalition
- Commanders
- Joffre, Gallieni
- Strength
- About 1 million
Germany
- Commanders
- Moltke the Younger, Kluck
- Strength
- About 900,000
Background
The Germans drove straight for Paris, and the French rushed troops forward by taxi to mount a counterattack on the Marne.
Course of the battle
- Close inThe German right wing swept toward the outskirts of Paris.
- GapA gap opened between two German armies, and the allies pushed into it to counterattack.
- WithdrawThe Germans fell back to the Aisne and went over to the defensive.
Outcome at a glance
| Date | 1914 |
|---|---|
| Place | Marne, France |
| Result | The allies counterattacked through the gap on the German right wing, forcing the Germans to fall back. |
| Winner | Anglo-French coalition |
| Casualties | Each side suffered over 200,000 casualties. |
| Territorial change | The Schlieffen Plan failed, and the Western Front settled into stalemate in the trenches. |
Impact
It thwarted Germany's bid for a quick victory and doomed World War I to a long war of attrition.
See the world in 1914 on the map →