Interestingly, both commanders ordered an all-out offensive
for 6 September 1914. Fate, however, was
not so patient. The battle would break
out a day earlier at a little village northwest of Meaux named Villeroy. The Kaiser’s forces had spent the
first month in the west, apparently successfully executing the Schlieffen Plan
to perfection, but Joffre had spotted the weaknesses of the overly ambitious
strategy and prepared a perfect counterstroke. The swinging right flank of the German advance
was exposed as it passed Paris. A new French army was created to attack the
German First Army to the northeast of Paris. However, a reserve corps
of the First Army was lingering
behind the lines just where the new French Six Army started to deploy near
Villeroy. The shelling started, the battle was joined, and
heavy casualties were taken by the advancing French. However, the German First Army was now aware
that a hitherto unknown French force had appeared on its flank. In turning to face them they had begun a
domino effect through all five German
armies about to attack between Paris and Verdun.
The units involved were not only the French 55 Infantry (a Reserve unit) Division but the 56 RID and the 1st Moroccan Brigade.
ReplyDeleteThe German artillery unit that opened up was the 7th Reserve Field Artillery Regiment.
German right flank not left
ReplyDeleteGood catch. Thank you, correction made.
DeleteMH (Who will be in Villeroy tomorrow morning.)
Is it myth or fact that the Germans lost the war at the this battle?????
ReplyDeleteDisposition of forces on 5 Sept
ReplyDeletehttp://www.carto1418.fr/target/19140905.html
Ref comment: Did the Germans lose the war at this battle: No. The tragedy of the Marne is that it wasn't 'strategically' successful. Tactical victories abounded during the weeks of battle but in the end the only real losers were the 60 million or so that had their lives forever changed over the next four years.
ReplyDelete