On September 3, thanks to the Flying Corps, General Gallieni learned of the change of direction taken by Von Kluck's Army. Realising the possibilities which this offered, he suggested a flank attack by the Army of Paris. As previously mentioned, such an attack formed part of Joffre's general plan, matured on August 27. It was, however, necessary that the attack should be not merely a local and temporary success, as would have been the case on the Somme line for instance, where the remainder of the front was not in a favourable position for resistance, or attack. On September 4, after conferring with General Gallieni, Joffre decided that conditions were favourable for a new offensive, and fixed upon September 6 as the date on which the decisive battle should be begun along the whole front. [Illustration] SEPTEMBER 5, 1914 [Illustration: VON KLUCK] The map before you shows the respective positions occupied by the opposing armies on September 5, 1914, the eve of the great battle. The Allied forces are represented by a thick black line, those of the Germans by a black and white line. Joffre directed the operations first from Bar-sur-Aube and afterwards from Romilly. As you see, the half-circle formed by the Allies, into which the Germans imprudently penetrated, was supported at the western extremity by the entrenched camp of Paris and at the eastern extremity by the fortified position of Verdun. The River Marne flows through the middle. Although the battle was only to begin on the 6th, General Maunoury's Army was already engaged the day before. Its orders were to advance to the River Ourcq (see map), but, despite furious fighting, it was unable to get there. The British forces were to occupy a line running north and south, with Coulommiers as point of support. Unfortunately, the exceedingly fatiguing retreat it had just accomplished, retarded the execution of the necessary _volte-face_. The map shows them on the 5th, still far to the south of Coulommiers. The fact that neither of these two forces was able to take up its assigned position greatly increased the difficulties of the turning movement planned by Joffre. In front of the forces under Maunoury and French, were the right and centre of the First German Army, under Von Kluck. The Fifth French Army, under General Franchet d'Esperey, whose position extended from the north of Provins to Sézanne, delivered a frontal attack against the left wing of Von Kluck's army and the right wing of the Second German army under Von Bulow. At the right of Franchet d'Esperey's army was the Ninth French Army under General Foch, whose task it was to cover his neighbour on the left by holding the issues south of the Marshes of St.-Gond. Opposing Foch was the left of Von Bulow's army, with the right of the Third German Army commanded by Von Hausen.