Taxis at the Front

In August 1914, the success of the Schlieffen plan led rapidly to the invasion of northern French territory by German troops. The Germans bypassed Paris, however, and during the following month the French armies, under the command of General Joffre, succeeded in counter-attacking and containing the German advance on the banks of the Marne. Several thousand French soldiers were transported from Paris towards the front in some 600 taxis, requisitioned by the capital’s governor, General Gallieni.

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Marne, Battle of the

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