Battles & Campaigns · 1914
Battle of Guise
Guise, Aisne, France
What happened
During the Great Retreat, the French Fifth Army turned and attacked toward St Quentin and Guise. The attack on St Quentin failed, but the push near Guise forced German units, including the Guard Corps, to fall back. That night Joffre ordered the retreat to continue.
Why it matters
The German 2nd Army did not chase the French, so the Fifth Army could withdraw safely. Bülow reported a victory, though captured papers later showed how big the French attack had been.
What came next
A few days later the Allied retreat ended at the First Battle of the Marne.
Did you know?
The battle is also known as the Battle of St. Quentin (1914), and a memorial in Guise remembers it.
Timeline
- 26 Aug 1914Battle of Le Cateau.
- 29 Aug 1914The French Fifth Army attacks toward St Quentin and Guise.
- 30 Aug 1914The French resume their retreat.
- 5–12 Sep 1914First Battle of the Marne.