The First Battle of the Marne 1914

The French ‘miracle’ halts the Germans

The First Battle of the Marne 1914 cover

The First Battle of the Marne 1914

The French ‘miracle’ halts the Germans

Description

Osprey's study of the Battle of the Marne, which was one of the decisive encounters of World War I (1914-1918), saving France from a catastrophic defeat that would almost certainly have knocked her out of the war. Germany's failure to defeat the French committed her to a war on two fronts, which would lead to trench warfare and the war of attrition that the General Staff had hoped to avoid. The conduct of the battle served to make and break the reputation of commanders and subordinates alike. Although not an decisive defeat, the battle was a strategic Allied victory. Further attempts by each side to outflank the other led to the formation of a continuous front from the North Sea to Switzerland, which set the pattern for the rest of the war.

This title presents the origins of the campaign, followed by a brief chronology, before detailing the opposing commanders and armies. It then breaks out the French orders of battle and the German's opposing plans, the outcome of the fighting and the aftermath of the battle. The book concludes with a look at the battlefield today and suggestions for further reading.

Table of Contents

Opening moves
Chronology
Opposing commanders
Opposing forces
Opposing plans
The first battle of the Marne
Aftermath

The battlefield today
Further reading
Index

Product details

Published May 25 2010
Format Paperback
Edition 1st
Extent 96
ISBN 9781846035029
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Illustrations 50 b/w; 42 col
Dimensions 10 x 7 inches
Series Campaign
Short code CAM 221
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Ian Sumner

Ian Sumner was born in 1953 in Eccles, near Manche…

Illustrator

Graham Turner

Graham Turner is a leading historical artist, spec…

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