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Home » World War 1

First Battle of the Aisne Facts and World War 1

Published: Apr 12, 2023 · Modified: Oct 29, 2023 by Russell Yost · This post may contain affiliate links ·

The First Battle of the Aisne was a follow-up offensive by the Allied forces against the right wing of the German First and Second armies (under von Kluck and von Bulow) in retreat after September 1914's First Battle of the Marne. 

First Battle of the Aisne

The offensive began on the evening of September 12, in the aftermath of a rather belated pursuit of the Germans.

Jump to:
  • German Grit
  • Conclusion

It has been argued that the Allies would have made far greater gains had their success at the Marne been promptly exploited in a rapid and continued attack upon the retreating German First and Second armies. 

As it was, the progress of the Allied forces, British and French, was slow, owing to fatigue and caution.  Nevertheless, the Allies realized on September 11 that the Germans intended to halt their retreat at the Aisne.

German Grit

Consequently, the two German armies, joined by the new Seventh Army (under von Heeringen), were able to entrench themselves along the north bank of the River Aisne. 

The Chemin des Dames Ridge provided a long and admirable defensive position from which to conduct their defense.

The French Fifth and Sixth Armies (under d'Esperey and Maunoury), aided by the British Expeditionary Force (BEF, under Sir John French), launched a frontal infantry assault upon the Germans' defensive positions across the river at the Aisne upon their arrival on September 13.

Having established a bridgehead north of the river on September 14, the Allies continued to assault the Germans on the plateau above them; German counter-attacks were in place within hours, however, forcing the Allies back.

Once again, the German forces demonstrated the present superiority of defensive warfare over its offensive counterpart, deploying machine gun fire and heavy artillery in defense of their positions. Small advances were achieved by the Allies, but these could not be consolidated.

Conclusion

Joseph Joffre architect of Plan XVII

Already scaled back by the Allies on September 18, fighting was abandoned on September 28 once it finally became clear that neither side, in particular the Allies, would be able to mount frontal attacks upon the well-entrenched positions of the enemy. 

Additionally, the French were finding themselves under increased pressure at Reims.

Instead, both forces attempted to maneuver past the other in a northwards movement, in the so-called 'race to the sea,' begun by French Commander-in-Chief Joseph Joffre, moving his forces north-west so as to attack the exposed German right flank at Noyon (the First Battle of Albert).

Two further battles took place at the Aisne, during April-May 1917 (the Second Battle of the Aisne) and May-June 1918 (the Third Battle of the Aisne).

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