Description
Since France’s 1870-1 humiliating Franco-Prussian War defeat, both sides had made contingency plans for the resumption of hostilities. With the outbreak of WW I, Germany’s August-early September 1914 long-planned grand offensive was on the verge of overwhelming the French Army, seizing Paris, and driving the British Army into the sea. Then, in less than a week of fighting in the Marne River valley, the French and British armies accomplished their “miracle” by decisively stopping and forcing back the seemingly irresistible German offensive. This study will focus on the personalities and perspectives of the key military leaders and the critical German mistakes which opened the way for the French/British victory.
