Two battles along the River Marne in east central France in World War I. The first battle marked the climax and defeat of the German plan to destroy the French forces before Russian mobilization was complete. By September the Germans were within 24 km (15 miles) of Paris and the government moved to Bordeaux. Joffre’s successful counter-offensive has been hailed as one of the decisive battles in history. The retreating Germans dug themselves in north of the River Aisne, setting the pattern for trench warfare on the Western Front. The second battle ended Ludendorff’s final offensive, when, on 18 July, Foch ordered a counter-attack.