During the 7th, 8th, and 9th of
September the Imperial Prussian Guard directed to the compassing
of that end all its energy and courage. All in vain. General Foch
not only checked the German onslaught, but drove it back. Thus the
French center was not pierced, Von Kluck was not relieved, and
he found himself in a position that grew more and more critical.
The general retreat of the German armies was the inevitable result.
To this decision the German General Staff came, and on the evening
of September 9 orders were given to all the armies of the right
and center to retire sixty kilometers to the rear. Thus the battle
of the Marne was won by the French."
The writer then goes on to say: "It was on September 5, toward
the end of the morning, that the general order of General Joffre,
leading to the great battle, reached the French armies. Each separate
army immediately turned and vigorously engaged in battle. The army
of Manoury, the first to get ready, sprang forward to the attack.
It thrust back the German forces which were at first inferior in
number, and it attained on the evening of the 5th the Pinchard-St.
Soulplet-Ver front; but Von Kluck threw two army corps over the
Marne and hurled himself on Manoury. He summoned from Compiegne
all the reenforcements at his disposal, and he placed all his heavy
artillery between Vareddes and May-en-Multien. During the day of
September 6th Manoury made headway toward the Ourcq.
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