---
title: "Today in military history: First Battle of the Marne begins"
description: "On Sep. 5, 1914, the Battle of the Marne — which would save Paris from German forces — began. Learn more on WATM!"
date: "2021-09-03"
modified: "2023-09-04"
authors:
  - name: "Team Mighty"
    job_title: "Author"
    link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/teammighty.md"
url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/articles/today-in-military-history-first-battle-of-the-marne-begins/"
categories:
  - "History"
---

# Today in military history: First Battle of the Marne begins

![first battle of the marne](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Battle-of-Marne.jpeg>)

On Sep. 5, 1914, the Battle of the Marne — which would save Paris from German forces — began.

Fighting had started the month before, with Germany making aggressive advances on the western front hoping to defeat the French before facing Russia to the east. As the German forces advanced on the French capital, the retreating Allies stumbled upon some luck.

https://youtu.be/hxxQMQxFX2s

Precise and accurate plans of the attack on Paris were found on a slain German officer. With this information, the French and British armies positioned themselves to defend the city. They were so close to the city limits, in fact, that 600 Parisian taxi cabs were enlisted to drive French troops to the battle front.

After six days of fighting, and 100,000 soldiers killed or wounded, the Allies had achieved their first victory, but the war had just begun. Four years later, the Marne would be the site of another historic battle — one in which the American’s [3rd Infantry Division](<https://home.army.mil/stewart/index.php/units/3ID>) would add to their legendary status and the epitaph “Rock of the Marne.” [But that is another story for another day.](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/popular/rock-of-the-marne.md>)

## Author
Team Mighty's experience encompasses intel, special ops, military history, tactical expertise, aviation, gear, and weapons. Authors on Team Mighty include veterans, spouses, and active and reserve service members from every branch of the military, as well as former CIA employees.

## More

- [World War I, France and the first Battle of the Marne](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/history/first-battle-of-the-marne-france-world-war-i.md>)
- [This is why the 3rd Infantry Division is called ‘Rock of the Marne’](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/popular/rock-of-the-marne.md>)
- [Today in military history: Battle of Verdun begins](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/articles/today-in-military-history-battle-of-verdun-begins.md>)
- [Honoring our fallen isn’t political. It’s American.](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-trending/honor-the-fallen.md>)
- [A history of the Battle of Belleau Wood](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/history/battle-of-belleau-wood-history.md>)
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- [Today in military history: Battle of Gettysburg begins](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/articles/today-in-military-history-battle-of-gettysburg-begins.md>)
- [Today in military history: Battle of the Somme ends](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-history/today-in-military-history-battle-of-the-somme-ends.md>)