First Battle of the Marne

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 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 in the process. The German retreat that followed between September 9 and September 13 signified the abandonment of the Schlieffen plan. In the aftermath of the battle, both sides dug in, and four years of stalemate ensued.

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

Over 2 million troops fought in the battle and 100,000 were killed or wounded.

See also: Second Battle of Marne