On the night of April 1st, the main forces of the German Second, Third, and Fourth Corps successfully crossed the Marne River. Over the course of the lengthy river, the German engineers erected more than twenty floating bridges. These bridges enabled the efficient transportation of the German main forces and various military supplies to the southern bank of the Marne.
Simultaneously, the troops that had crossed the river hastened to establish defensive positions, constructing fortifications on the remnants of the devastated French entrenchments. Given the limited time, these defensive works were rudimentary. Nevertheless, the arrangement of fire points was methodical. Coupled with substantial artillery support from the rear, any attempt by the Allied forces to launch an assault would undoubtedly result in severe casualties.
Moreover, if the Allies had attacked that very night, they could have posed a significant threat to the Germans. After all, the German forces were still finding their footing and could not fully mobilize their combat strength at that time. However, the Allies granted the Germans an entire night to solidify their position on the southern bank. Consequently, when the Allies finally launched their offensive, the outcome was all too predictable.
Meanwhile, the German engineers remained industriously at work. Although ordinary floating bridges sufficed, they also needed to construct bridges capable of accommodating tanks and trucks. This would enable the formidable German armored divisions to cross the Marne and press further against the Allied defenses.
By the morning of April 2nd, the weary German soldiers, having labored throughout the night, were mostly resting. In the front-line trenches, officers and soldiers lay sprawled in various positions. Despite the chilly weather, the exhaustion had led them to sleep soundly beneath their blankets.
However, at 7 AM, they were roused by their officers' urgent calls. "Everyone, rise immediately and prepare for battle! The enemy is about to launch an attack!" the officers shouted, waking the soldiers.
German reconnaissance aircraft detected a significant mobilization of the Allied forces. Clearly, the Allies were unwilling to accept the breach of their defenses and sought to reclaim their positions. Qin Tian swiftly ordered all units on the front lines to prepare, emphasizing the necessity of withstanding the impending counteroffensive. A successful defense at this juncture would mean the Germans had truly crossed the Marne. The Allies would find it impossible to drive the Germans back to the northern bank.
Despite having only two hours of sleep, many soldiers managed to prepare for battle quickly. Some splashed their faces with the cold waters of the Marne, shaking off their fatigue. Though the river bore many corpses, no one seemed to care.
Cooks delivered breakfast to the front lines, ensuring the soldiers were nourished and ready to face the Allies. The quartermaster distributed ammunition, anticipating a fierce confrontation. It was clear that this battle would be intense, prompting the quartermaster to ensure the front-line troops received ample supplies.
Before the Allies launched their assault, the Germans were already prepared for combat.
On the Allied front, the French Eighth and Ninth Armies entered the fray, bolstered by units drawn from the four front-line corps. Marshal Joffre had committed his reserves to this counteroffensive, underscoring his determination, albeit hinting at a sense of desperation.
Cannons were being maneuvered into position. Although the artillery of the four front-line corps had suffered significant losses from German bombardments, several hundred pieces remained operational. Coupled with the artillery of the Eighth and Ninth Armies, they commanded over two thousand cannons. While this number paled in comparison to the Germans, it was still formidable.
"General Foch, this time we are deploying over six hundred thousand troops for the counteroffensive. Do you think we can drive the Germans back to the northern bank?" Marshal Joffre inquired, his heart laden with uncertainty. Despite believing that the substantial mobilization of Allied forces should overwhelm the Germans, he could not shake the worry stemming from their display of strength.
"Your Excellency, we must acknowledge the Germans' might. They are stronger now than they were six months ago. A half year ago, they could never have crossed the Marne in a single day, and their losses were remarkably light. This is, indeed, quite unreasonable," General Foch replied.
Joffre nodded, "The Germans have only grown stronger in this conflict. I have a foreboding feeling that if we do not defeat them this time, we may never have the opportunity to do so again."
Foch wholeheartedly agreed. The Germans had secured a definitive advantage in this war. The catastrophic defeat of the Royal Navy alone had tilted the scales in their favor. It was clear that if the Germans achieved another victory on land, both Britain and France would face ruin. Conversely, should the Allies prevail, they might still secure a relatively honorable peace.
This underscores the immense pressure resting on the shoulders of the Allied forces. It likely explained why Marshal Joffre had rushed from Paris to the front lines.
"Both the President and the Prime Minister sent telegrams yesterday. They are closely monitoring the situation at the Marne. Clearly, they are dissatisfied that we allowed the Germans to cross so easily on the first day. They demand that we defeat the Germans in this battle. However, they do not realize that overcoming the Germans is not merely a matter of willpower. We will exert every effort in this conflict, but whether we can vanquish them remains in God's hands," Joffre sighed.
General Foch, upon hearing this, was left at a loss for words. He too felt a profound sense of powerlessness regarding the war. It was difficult to believe how much stronger the Germans had become in just six months, not only in terms of firepower but also in their resolute fighting spirit—attributes that the Allies could hardly match.
"Regardless of the circumstances, we will fight to the bitter end. God save the French Republic!" General Foch proclaimed.