North of the Aisne the Germans succeeded in clearing the approaches to Soissons as far as Courtil. On the south of the river, the Moroccan Division held their ground until noon without flinching, and took part in the counter-offensive by the 35th and 51st Divisions, which re-occupied Courmelles and the banks of the Crise. However, at night-fall, the Germans counter-attacked violently and forced them slightly back westwards.
Lower down, the enemy progressed along the Ourcq Valley beyond Neuilly-Saint-Front and approached Villers-Cotterets Wood, the outskirts of which were stubbornly defended by the 2nd Cavalry Corps, fighting on foot with the infantry.
To the south, the Germans made a dash for Château-Thierry, where they were decimated by the 33rd Colonials fighting in the streets. Reaching the Marne at Dormans and Vincelles, they approached Verneuil.
The enemy progressed slightly in the immediate vicinity of Rheims and reached the line Saint-Brice-Ormes-Bligny. Fighting took place in the suburbs near Tinqueux.
THE GERMAN ADVANCE FROM JUNE 1 TO 5 (between the two continuous black lines).