It was the intention of the Germans to capture Chalons and then proceed down the Marne Valley to Paris.

It was expected that the big German drive would begin on July 4th, but as it turned out it did not begin until the night of the 14th--the French national holiday.
On July 1st, the 369th had been moved from its sector further toward the east where the center of the attack was expected.

Upon the 14th of July the French made a raid for the purpose of getting prisoners and information.

This had a tremendous effect upon the whole course of the war, for through it General Gouraud's staff learned that at midnight the Boche artillery preparation was to begin, and at 5:25 o'clock on the morning of the 15th the Germans were coming over the top.
This phase of the operation is described by Col.

Hayward as follows: "This is what Gen.