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.

Includes maps of: German March to the Marne, 15 August-5 September 1914; Overview of the Battle of the Marne, 5-9 September 1914; Battle of the Ourcq, 5-9 September 1914; Opening Day of the Battle of the Ourcq, 5 September 1914; Battle of the Saint-Gond Marshes, 6-9 September 1914; Struggle for Mondement, 9 September 1914; Battle of the Two Morins, 6-9 September 1914; Turning the German Flank - Marchais-en-Brie, 8 September 1914; German Retreat tot he Aisne, 10-11 September 1914.

Opening moves -- Chronology -- Opposing commanders. Allied commanders -- German commanders -- Opposing forces. Allied forces -- German forces -- Orders of battle -- Opposing plans -- The First Battle of the Marne. The Battle of Ourcq, 5 -- 9 September -- The Battle of the Saint-Gond marshes, 6 -- 10 September -- The Battle of the two Morins, 6 -- 11 September -- Aftermath. Conclusion -- The battlefield today.