The Battle of the Aisne was fought 100 years ago as German troops pulled backed across northeastern France.
The Germans halted during their retreat from the Marne to face pursuing British and French forces on a ridge overlooking the River Aisne.
On September 14th 1914, the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) lost 2,000 men in its opening assault.
All sides dug in, marking the start of trench warfare on the Western Front.
In the following weeks, the opposing armies attempted to outflank each other in a series of attacks which became known as ‘The Race to the Sea.’
Tributes are being paid at the Aisne on September 14th 2014 to all soldiers killed in the war, regardless of nationality.
The centenary of the BEF’s attack has been marked with a walk from Vendresse British Cemetery to the village of Cerny-en-Laonnais and laying of wreaths at the Monument of the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment.
A remembrance service has been held at the Chemin des Dames Memorial Chapel in Cerny for British, French and German troops who fell on the Aisne.
Information and images supplied by Conseil Général de L’Aisne/Aisne Tourisme
Posted by: Peter Alhadeff, Centenary News