The French Army's 7th Infantry Division had already been travelling for 12 days. They were needed on the River Marne to form part of the defences to halt the German advance. The Military Governor of Paris, General Gallieni, realised the men were in no fit state to travel the 60km from Paris to Nanteuil so he requisitioned Paris taxis to carry the Division.
Around 1000 - 1200 taxis, mostly Renault AG or AG1 taxis, carried the 6000 men over two days, 6th and 7th September.
The total cost has been recorded at 70,102 francs by the French Treasury (Ian Sumner "The First Battle of the Marne"), roughly equivalent to 250,000 euros.
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| Renault taxi in the Musée de l'Armée, Paris |
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| Brian Sanders painting "Taxis of the Marne" |
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| Re-enactors group. |
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| Another re-enactors group. |
(All photos found on Google, my thanks to the posters)
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