... the French Ninth, Fourth, Third, Second and First Armies. The Allies began to cross the Aisne under heavy fire. They mainly used pontoon bridges, as only one of the permanent crossings remained intact; a bridgehead was established on the north of the river and was soon enlarged. On the following day, 14 September, they made further small gains in an assault on the enemy line, which was located on the plateau above them. However, within hours German counterattacks, with strong artillery support, had pushed back the French Sixth Army almost to its starting position. The Allies were unable to make any real progress against the Germans' well-prepared positions and, with the French also coming under pressure at Reims, this largely stationary battle was abandoned on 18 September. It was already becoming clear that a frontal assault by infantry alone, without heavy artillery support, was unlikely to be successful. As the Aisne offensive ...

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