16. The “Miracle of the Marne”
In September 1914, as German forces closed in on Paris, French commanders made a rapid, coordinated move to reposition their troops along the Marne River. Utilizing railways and even commandeered taxis, they shifted reserves at lightning speed, mounting a surprise counteroffensive. This decisive action—later dubbed the “Miracle of the Marne”—halted the German advance and saved Paris from occupation, fundamentally reshaping the course of World War I and giving the Allies new hope.
