At the end of August 1914 the French and British Armies were still retreating, Paris was threatened and Sir John French had moved the British supply base to St. Nazaire and was planning to go back beyond the Seine. The German High Command was jubilant although their soldiers were very tired; British GHQ was in a funk and the dirty, footsore soldiers in Khaki were frustrated and glum to be still in retreat in spite of several successful actions. But General Joffre, with the assistance of General Gallieni, was making plans. Against all odds, by 5th September the French 6th Army was attacking von Kluck's flank causing him to change his line of march; Joffre's agreement with Sir John French had halted the allied retreat and a gap had opened between the German First and Second Armies into which the British could advance while the French attacked on their right and left.

No wonder they called it the 'Miracle of the Marne'. There were no major battles but it was a crucial turning point nevertheless, with fighting from the Ourq to Verdun. On 9th September Moltke ordered the German retreat

It is a fascinating story and Simon Jones, who accompanied our highly successful 'Guns of August' tour, will be with us to explain the actions of the French and British forces in this exhilarating period, summed up by an officer's diary entry on 6th September. 'The happiest day of my life; we marched towards the rising sun.'

ITINERARY
Day 1 (Monday): Depart Victoria Coach Station, London 09:00. Dover – Calais ferry. Drive south to the Marne. Dinner and overnight (4 nights) in Chateau Thierry.
Day 2: Battle of the Ourq 5-9 September. Manoury's 6th Army attack on the German flank north west of Meaux. Kluck's skilful re-deployment. Gallieni sends Reinforcements from Paris - 'the taxis of the Marne'. Von Kluck ordered to withdraw.
Day 3: Battle of St. Gond Marshes 6-10 September. Withdrawal of Foch's 9th Army south of the marshes. The Prussian Garde attacks. Attacks and counter attacks around Soizy au Bois and Mondemont. Follow German withdrawal to Chalons.
Day 4: Battle of the Two Morins 5-9 September. BEF farthest point south of Grand Morin. Franchet d'Esperey's 5th Army and BEF advance into the gap between German 1st and 2nd Armies.
Day 5: Reims 1914. The Reims forts – Brimont and La Pompelle. German occupation 3-12 September. 4 years bombardment, destruction of the Cathedral and much of the town. Lunch break in Reims. Drive north, Calais - Dover ferry. ETA Dover 18:30 and London 20:30.