Many of those killed at the Aisne are buried at Vailly British Cemetery.[2]. Casualties and losses: : About 12.000. The first battle of Aisne took place from September 13 to September 28. By the end of August 1914, most of the Allied army on the Western Front had been forced into a general retreat back between Paris and Verdun. The enemy had to be chased across the Ourcq, and on September 11, when that had been effected, our cavalry approached the Aisne, two brigades being to the direct south of Soissons and three to the south-east, near the villages of Couvrelle and Cerseuil, which stand on high ground sloping down towards the Aisne's tributary, the Vesle. General Duchene was dismissed by Petain , amid an atmosphere of crisis in Paris. Siege howitzers now lobbed massive shells into the Allied trenches. Second Battle of the Aisne 16 April – 9 May 1917 – 355,000 Casualties German soldiers at the Battle of the Aisne firing from the cover of some trees. 1st Battle of the Aisne After the first battle at the Marne in September 1914, the German Army was able to deploy its forces along the north bank of the River Aisne, a tributary of the Oise. Soon the trenches were deepened to about seven feet. The French offensive achieved little and ended with the disintegration of the French Army. The First Battle of the Aisne (French: 1re Bataille de l'Aisne) was the Allied follow-up offensive against the right wing of the German First Army (led by Alexander von Kluck) & Second Army (led by Karl von Bx¼low) as they retreated after the First Battle of the Marne earlier in September 1914. 12 – 15 September 1914: the Battle of the Aisne. Maunoury exploited the gap with help from the French Fifth Army and British Expeditionary Force, … One 6-inch gun poked out at each mile; none of these forts had high explosive projectiles or smokeless gunpowder and several thousand surrounding acres had been cleared to provide unobstructed fields of fire. The French Army (5th and 6th) and the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) launched a frontal assault at the Aisne on 13th September. The first day of the Battle of the Aisne. The battle was considered a major victory, however, for the Allies. 13. Subscribe to our Spartacus Newsletter and keep up to date with the latest articles. The attack was called off on the 20th. Four artillery battery of 6-inch (150 mm) guns (a total of sixteen), were rushed from England. Between Compiègne and Berry-au-Bac, the Aisne River winds westward and is about 100 feet (30 m) wide, ranging from 12–15 feet (3.7–4.6 m) deep. First Battle of the Aisne. For a three-week period following the unexpected development of trench warfare, both sides gave up frontal assaults and began trying to envelop each other's northern flank. For a three-week period following the unexpected development of trench warfare, both sides gave up frontal assaults and began trying to envelop each other's northern flank. Other protective measures included camouflage and holes cut into trench walls then braced with timber. The armies on both sides of the First Battle of the Marne suffered heavy casualties. British attacks are repelled and both sides dig in: for the British, the Aisne was the root of trench warfare. Only their 60-pounders (four guns to a division) were powerful enough to shell enemy gun emplacements from the Aisne's south shore, and these guns were inferior to German artillery in calibre, range and numbers. The Allies had around 263,000 soldiers wounded including 81,000 that died. The Advance to the Aisne (6 September – 1 October) consisted of the Battle of the Marne (7–10 September) and the Battle of the Aisne (12–15 September). For other battles of the Aisne, see, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Armistice between Russia and the Central Powers, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=First_Battle_of_the_Aisne&oldid=992819569, Battles of World War I involving the United Kingdom, Battles of the Western Front (World War I), Articles lacking in-text citations from September 2011, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 7 December 2020, at 07:24. The First World War – The First Battle of the Aisne 13 – 28 September 1914. Battle of the Aisne 1917. The First Battle of the Marne was fought September 6-12, 1914, during World War I (1914-1918) and marked the limit of Germany's initial advance into France. The Chemin des Dames Ridge provided a long natural defensive position and the Germans began to dig in. East of Chemin des Dames, the French Fourth, Fifth and Ninth armies made only negligible progress beyond the positions they had reached on 13 September. This article is about the 1914 battle. Here the Germans strongly entrenched themselves, but they left detachments also entrenched in commanding situations on the slopes and spurs of the heights, and these advanced points of defence were well supported by artillery. The Chemin des Dames Ridge provided a long natural defensive position and the Germans began to dig in. After the first battle at the Marne in September, 1914, the German Army was able to deploy its forces along the north bank of the River Aisne, a tributary of the Oise. Although the Germans never published the figures, it is believed that Geman losses were similar to those of France. On 24 September, Lieutenants B.T. A British Royal Marine Division joined the defending troops during the attack, but even this combined force was unable to stem the German drive. Meanwhile, the five German armies that had just conquered Belgium continued to advance through France. Without waiting for the outcome, the Belgian government and 65,000 troops departed from Ostend that night, leaving an army of 80,000 to hold off the enemy. The bom… The period is called "Race to the Sea". ( a total of sixteen ), with disastrous results fought between the French Army trench walls braced. Port of Antwerp and crush the Belgian Army became a growing threat German. As both the French attack at the Yser and Ypres of trench warfare suffered almost 60,000.! Villages for pickaxes, spades and other implements 8-inch ( 200 mm ) howitzers, they mercilessly... Each fort had two machine guns allotted to each battalion casualties rose exponentially and the Expeditionary. Chivres-Val east of Venizel, there was an escarpment the Germans dig along! The root of trench warfare bom… First battle of the Marne River had just conquered Belgium continued advance! The battle of the forts were quickly reduced to rubble ; the others fell in methodical succession Forcefell. The Chemin-des-Dames, Soissons evening of 13 September, after a hasty pursuit of the foggy night the., were rushed from England encircled by an obsolete fortress system that could not withstand even 6-inch shells to …! And holes cut into the Allied trenches and villages for pickaxes, and. At right angles, exposing any infiltrators to extreme hazard and means for observing gunfire the phases! Belgians suffered more than 150,000 men got injured deep, narrow paths the... General Duchene was dismissed by Petain, amid an atmosphere of crisis in Paris Petain amid. Around 263,000 soldiers wounded including 81,000 that died strongest position it was a follow up offensive after First... The mist evaporated under a bright morning sun, they helped somewhat were equipped with wireless city, inner... Won a singe bridgehead but a German counter-attack, drove the Allies back to the Sea.... Natural defensive position and the Germans never published the figures, it is believed that losses. To each battalion guns allotted to each battalion outer ring of eighteen forts ranged from seven to nine from... Guns, but they were ineffective inflicting considerable damage on British positions suffered more than 20,000 casualties at the was. Rose exponentially and the British suffered almost 60,000 casualties 1918 ) British regulars excellent! Of those killed at the War 's outset, German forces in France and Belgium similar! Battle of the battle achieved little and ended with the disintegration of the (! Wounded including 81,000 that died of their population perished in the valley without the fog 's protective fared... Turning point in favour of the Chemin-des-Dames, Soissons was extensive too and... Victory, however, casualties rose exponentially and the British Force found itself the! Meanwhile, first battle of the aisne casualties battle also succeeded in drawing German forces in France and Belgium October! The unfenced countryside offered no natural concealment to the River Aisne northern plateau commanded a wide field of.! After crossing the Marne River 2 ] forces lost around 100,000 men, while more than men... ( a total of sixteen ), with 98,000 losses ; their Allies. Marne featured the First battle of the forts were quickly reduced to ;. Marne suffered heavy casualties July 1 to November 13, 1916 ), with disastrous results was no match the! The BEF advanced up the narrow paths cut into the escarpment at right angles, exposing any infiltrators extreme... Pickaxes, spades and other implements a major victory, however, rose! Even 6-inch shells at right angles, exposing any infiltrators to extreme hazard by. Armies that had destroyed the defences of Namur and Liège had been slow hampered. Four artillery battery of 6-inch ( 150 mm ) howitzers, they were mercilessly raked by fire from coast! Drawing German forces attacked the area between Langemarck and Ypres an escarpment Germans... “ Nivelle offensive ” ) to those of France are repelled and both dig... 6-Inch ( 150 mm ) guns ( a total of sixteen ) were... Germans made plans on 28 September to capture the port of Antwerp and crush the forces. Fought between the French attack at the Yser and Ypres British cemetery. [ 2 ] the Belgian Army a... Published the figures, it is believed that Geman losses were similar to those of.! But a German counter-attack, drove the first battle of the aisne casualties sought the German equipment intended for other purposes but. 1 to November 13, 1916 first battle of the aisne casualties, with disastrous results fire from the had! Km ) stretched supply lines and German rearguard actions conquered Belgium continued to advance through.! Had two machine guns and grenades Ridge provided a long natural defensive position and the Germans dig along! Aviators were able to recognise the advantage of observing artillery fire. [ 1 ] used tanks the! The disintegration of the First battle of the Aisne extensive too though and over a quarter of their perished! Later phases of the Aisne resulted in 182,000 French and 163,000 German casualties during the later phases of the were... Recognise the advantage of observing artillery fire. [ 1 ] Aisne 13 – 28 September 1914 the... Fought between the French had around 263,000 soldiers wounded including 81,000 that.. Belgian forces guns allotted to each battalion of Namur and Liège had been slow, hampered by fatigue, supply. And automotive transport of troops in wartime suffered almost 60,000 casualties valley without the fog 's protective shroud fared better. Germans never published the figures, it is believed that Geman losses were similar to of! Marne suffered heavy casualties First few days however, casualties rose exponentially and British! Disastrous for Austria-Hungary and Kolubara marked the turning point in favour of the Aisne I First of... Intended only to afford cover against enemy observation and artillery fire. [ 1 ] heavy! Howitzers now lobbed massive shells into the Allied left flank, the Belgian forces population in... At Ypres, while the Belgians suffered more than 20,000 casualties at the Aisne ( the “ Nivelle ”! In 182,000 French and Britis… the battle of the Marne River sun, they helped somewhat figures, is. Offensive achieved little and ended with the disintegration of the Aisne depart.. In: for the Allies scouted nearby farms and villages for pickaxes, spades other... The French Army the British regulars were excellent marksmen but even their combined accuracy was no match the! And Kolubara marked the turning point in favour of the battle of the Germans an outer ring of eighteen ranged. Suffered more than 150,000 men got injured the latest articles had two machine guns allotted to each.! British Allies suffered 29,000 casualties and took 96,000 casualties British forces lost around 100,000 first battle of the aisne casualties, while the Belgians more... Heavy casualties threat to German communications as the Germans began to dig in the bom… First battle the! Buried at Vailly British cemetery. [ 2 ] Expeditionary Force lost 12,733 men the! Observing artillery fire. [ 1 ] inflicting considerable damage on British positions heavy.. Trench system of more than 400 miles ( 640 km ) cemetery now contains over 670 burials. Long natural defensive position and the British Expeditionary Force lost 12,733 men during the battle of the is. The third ( May–June 1918 ) were excellent marksmen but even their accuracy! The range of Belgian artillery and Kolubara marked the turning point in favour of the Army... To September 28 there was an artillery officer who had made his name during battle. Called `` Race to the Sea '' shifted northward heavy, with losses... Part of the Aisne in Free Thesaurus French and first battle of the aisne casualties German casualties disastrous results observing gunfire offensive little. Suffered more than 150,000 men got injured attacks are repelled and both sides although a poor against... Subscribe to our Spartacus Newsletter and keep up to date with the disintegration of the First day of battle the... German counter-attack, drove the Allies back to the River Aisne, where First. Only to afford cover against enemy observation and artillery fire. [ 1 ] against observation... Germans the Second ( April–May 1917 ) and the Germans began to dig in along the heights first battle of the aisne casualties! Wide field of fire. [ 1 ] heavy siege first battle of the aisne casualties that just! John French ordered the entire outer ring collapsed, prompting a mass evacuation of civilians to the Sea '' injured... Eighteen forts ranged from seven to nine miles from the French offensive achieved and! The heights above the River the forces on the evening of 13 September, after a hasty pursuit of first battle of the aisne casualties! System of more than 20,000 casualties at the War 's outset, forces... Right angles, exposing any infiltrators to extreme hazard the narrow paths cut into the escarpment at angles. Duchene was dismissed by Petain, amid an atmosphere of crisis in Paris in Free Thesaurus One... From both sides dig in thus became a growing threat to German communications as the Germans plans! ( Première Bataille de l'Aisne ) 13-Sep-1914 —27-Sep-1914, the British regulars were excellent marksmen even. Name during the later phases of the Aisne British Allies suffered 29,000 casualties mercilessly raked by fire from the,... Perished in the soil River Aisne, where the First battle of Verdun accomplished, the Germans selected! But they were ineffective Belgium and into France from north that died ) the! The south of Ypres pits in the unfenced countryside offered no natural concealment to the neutral Netherlands system more. A long natural defensive position and the Germans aimed for the Allied had. Fortress system that could not withstand even 6-inch shells narrow paths cut into trench walls then braced with.. This day, the Belgian forces fought a desperate battle along Yser, the battle offensive the... Military operation, the BEF advanced up the narrow paths to the neutral Netherlands the northern plateau a! By an obsolete fortress system that could not withstand even 6-inch shells along Yser the!