French reinforcements arrived at seven o'clock on the third day.
They were personally led by Major General Monuri, the Vice Commander of the Reserve Army Group, with the vanguard of one corps, followed by two more corps, totaling 150,000 men.
The soldiers, upon hearing they were to reinforce Shire, traveled day and night, arriving 20 hours ahead of schedule without sleep for two consecutive nights.
However, they were still a step too late, as the German Army had already occupied Reims and made defensive preparations.
The three mountains near Reims had become a perfect defensive line for the German Army:
Saint-Thierry Mountain, 10 kilometers to the west, wedged between the Seine River and the Marne River, could perfectly block Monuri's reinforcements when a defensive line was established here.
Mount Montbeh, 15 kilometers to the south, secured the German Army's reinforcements and logistical supply line.
