September 5, 1914
As the German forces continued their grueling advance toward Paris, General Joseph Joffre knew any counteroffensive would have to be carefully planned if it would have any chance at succeeding. The German flank was exposed as its army pushed the allied forces further southwest. Seeing the opening, General Gallieni, commanding from Paris, ordered the French 6th army into the exposed flank of the German 1st Army. With the majority of its strength directed towards pushing the allied armies further south, the German 1st army was caught unprepared with only a reserve Corps to face this new threat. However, General Hans Von Gronau, in command of the Corps, boldly decided to go on the offensive, meeting the 6th army head on.
With Gronau engaged with the French toward the rear, over at the main front, the French 5th and 9th armies, as well as the B.E.F., stopped their retreat and held their ground. This was when the German advance finally came to a halt.
The German 1st army, now aware of their unforeseen attackers, began pushing it's forces into the French at their rear. Meanwhile, the German 2nd and 3rd armies were locked in fierce combat with the formerly retreating allied ranks.
At this point in the battle, the B.E.F. was playing a largely minimal role in the unfolding events. Sir John French, in command of the British forces, was determined to keep his army intact, so he opted to stay back from the fighting and conserve the remaining men of the B.E.F.. However, as the German 1st army, gaining the upper hand, began pushing back the French 6th army, a gap began to appear between the 1st army and the main German forces.
At this pivotal moment, French and the rest of the B.E.F. were ordered to marched straight into the gap, thus dividing the German forces. Hesitantly, the British began marching towards the opening. With the lack of speed and decisiveness of the B.E.F., the French Commanders feared their temporary advantage would be lost. Fortunately, French and his men were able to successfully march into the open gap.
Seeing this very real threat, the German forces were ordered to withdraw to the Aisne River where they would dig in and hold a defensive position there. The Battle of the Marne was over.
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