Marne, Second Battle of The

(July 15–18, 1918) Last large German attack in World War I.

As part of its final offensive to split the French forces, German troops under Erich Ludendorff crossed the Marne River but were met by strong French resistance under Ferdinand Foch. Allied counterattacks, especially at the Marne salient, forced the Germans to retreat to their former position along the Aisne and Vesle rivers.