The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand – heir to the Austro-Hungarian imperial crown – on June 28, 1914, in an explosive international context, served as a pretext for the belligerents (those taking part in the war) to start the First World War. world (1914-1918). Very quickly, the Triple Entente – France, United Kingdom and Russia – and the Triple Alliance – Germany, Austria-Hungary – oppose each other. France, which did not digest the annexation of Alsace and part of Lorraine in 1870 by Germany, dreams of taking back these territories, this is the origin of the XVII plan, directed by the General Joffre. On the German side, General Moltke, with the Schlieffen plan, plans to take Paris quickly to concentrate on the threatening Russian front.
September 6-13, 1914
Characters
Karl von Bülow
Ferdinand Foch
Louis Franchet d'Espèrey
John French
Joseph Gallieni Gallieni
Max von Hausen
Richard Hentsch Hentsch
Joseph Joffre
Alexander von Kluck
Fernand de Langle de Cary
Michel Maunoury
Helmut von Moltke
Maurice Sarrail
René Viviani
Procedure
The Germans are formidable. On August 4, 1914, they invaded Belgium, despite its neutrality, reached the Ardennes and the North. Since the 24th, the French and the British based there, respectively led by Generals Lanrezac, Langle de Cary and Marshal French have been retreating inexorably while continuing the fighting. On September 3, 1914, the Germans took Senlis, a town located only about fifty kilometers from Paris… Then, suddenly, they no longer marched towards Paris but bypassed the capital from the east, when it feared a siege.
This initiative, taken by General von Kluck, whose aim was to encircle the Allies, was confirmed by the military aviation. In doing so, he created a breach on his right flank, separating himself from General von Bülow's division. On September 6, Joffre took advantage of the opportunity. In a press release that has remained famous, he enjoins the French to stop retreating:“A troop that can no longer advance must, at all costs, keep the conquered ground, and be killed on the spot, rather than retreat. »
The so-called Battle of the Marne confrontation extends over more than 300 km from Senlis to Verdun, particularly around the Marne and its tributaries, such as the Ourcq. Generals Franchet d'Espèrey (replacing Lanrezac), Sarrail, Foch, Langle de Cary and Manoury are at the forefront. The latter counter-attacks the German von Bülow on September 6 but he needs reinforcements. General Gallieni, who has been appointed military governor of Paris, must protect the capital – the French government of Viviani (government of the Third Republic from June 13 to August 26, 1914) having moved to Bordeaux – offers Joffre, who accepts, to support the 6th Army by requisitioning about 700 Parisian taxis to rally the troops as quickly as possible. The impact of this unexpected help on the morale of the soldiers is enormous, so they are working harder!
Franchet d'Espèrey increases the breach between the two Germanic divisions of von Kluck and von Bülow which find themselves in a weak position because they are separated and therefore more vulnerable. If Foch shows difficulties against von Hausen in Saint Gond, he does not flinch. On September 9, the symbolic village of Mondement was taken over by the French, the fighting was merciless. The arsenal deployed during this war is unheard of. Officer Richard Henstch calls for the withdrawal of German troops. On September 13, General Joffre proclaims the French victory.
Consequences
The Battle of the Marne was extremely violent:nearly 200,000 soldiers were killed or disappeared in 6 days. It is considered the deadliest of the Great War. And if the "miracle" of the Marne is a victorious burst of the Allies, it does not sign in any way the end of the fighting. This conflict, which was to be lightning, is inexorably bogged down in the trenches. The Marne puts an end to the war of movement which becomes a war of position and which has only just begun...