51�Թ�

During his four years in the navy, Mr Winter visited Scotland, Iceland and Russia whilst serving on minesweepers HMS Harrier and HMS Combatant, as well as on battle class destroyer HMS Aisne.

Moving swiftly, the Germans crossed the Aisne River and advanced as far south as Château-Thierry.

The entire German force fell back to defensive positions along the Aisne River, north of the Marne, as the French and British followed cautiously.

When the Germans reached high ground behind the Aisne, they began to dig furiously, preparing fortified trenches that they would defend against Allied attacks for the next four years.

From their entrenchments along the Aisne River, the Germans had advanced northward toward the French ports of Dunkirk and Calais on the English Channel.