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German Spring Offensives
In early 1918, the German government, freed from fighting a two-front war by the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, chose to launch a massive offensive on the Western Front. This decision was largely motivated by a desire to end the war before the full strength of the United States could be brought into the conflict. Beginning on March 21, the Germans attacked the British Third and Fifth Armies with the goal of splitting the British and French and driving the former into the sea (Map).
After driving the British back after making some initial gains, the advance stalled and was ultimately halted at Villers-Bretonneux. As a result of the crisis caused by the German attack, Marshal Ferdinand Foch was appointed Supreme Commander of the Allied Armies and tasked with coordinating all operations in France. An assault to the north around Lys, dubbed Operation Georgette, met a similar fate in April. To aid these offensives a third attack, Operation Blücher–Yorck, was planned for late May in Aisne between Soissons and Rheims.
German Spring Offensives
In early 1918, the German government, freed from fighting a two-front war by the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, chose to launch a massive offensive on the Western Front. This decision was largely motivated by a desire to end the war before the full strength of the United States could be brought into the conflict. Beginning on March 21, the Germans attacked the British Third and Fifth Armies with the goal of splitting the British and French and driving the former into the sea (Map).
After driving the British back after making some initial gains, the advance stalled and was ultimately halted at Villers-Bretonneux. As a result of the crisis caused by the German attack, Marshal Ferdinand Foch was appointed Supreme Commander of the Allied Armies and tasked with coordinating all operations in France. An assault to the north around Lys, dubbed Operation Georgette, met a similar fate in April. To aid these offensives a third attack, Operation Blücher–Yorck, was planned for late May in Aisne between Soissons and Rheims.
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