How was the Second Battle of the Marne similar to the first?

1 Answer
Apr 28, 2017

Both battles resulted in a decisive German Defeat.

Explanation:

The first battle of the Marne was the end of the German offensive in 1914. The German spear head was cut off by an Allied counter attack forcing the Germans to retreat.

The second battle of the Marne was the end of the German offensive in 1918. The German advance was cut off by an Allied counter attack forcing the Germans to retreat.

The first battle of the Marne was decisive not so much as it was a decisive victory for the French but that it destroyed the German's plan for a quick victory in the West. The first battle of the Marne set the stage for 4 years of defensive trench warfare. This forced the Germans to fight a two front war that drained the German resources.

The second battle of the Marne was decisive in that it ended the German's hopes for a victory on the Western front. Using new storm trooper tactics the Germans had won a series of victories in 1918.
winning the battle of Marne would have put them in striking distance of Paris. Instead the loses incurred by the Allied counter attack left the German's weakened and 100 days later the Germans would surrender.

The first battle of the Marne ended the German offensive of 1914, The second battle of the Marne ended the German offensive of 1918.
Oddly both battles occurred on much of the same ground and had much the same results. The German offensives were stopped.