Quick Facts
Where: The Aisne-Marne Sector, 75 Miles Northeast of Paris
In a Triangular Area Bounded by Chateau-Thierry, Soissons and Reims
Check the Location on a Map of the Western Front
When: July 15 - September 16, 1918
AEF Units Participating: Nine U.S. Divisions Under French Command, Coordinated by Marshal Ferdinand Foch
Click Here To See a List of U.S. Divisions and Their Commanders
Opposing Forces: German First, Third, Seventh and Ninth Armies
Memorable For: Starting with the Last German Offensive of the Great War and Becoming the Allies' First Victorious Offensive of 1918
Background
The Second Battle of the Marne marked the turning of the tide in World War I. It began with the last German offensive of the conflict and was quickly followed by the first allied offensive victory of 1918. The American Expeditionary Force with over 250,000 men fighting under overall French command played key roles both in the initial defense and the later advances. In the Second Battle of Marne with 30,000 killed and wounded, the United States started suffering casualties on the enormous scale usually associated with the battles of the Great War.
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