3.2 - The Ludendorff Offensive

Question 1

What was the Ludendorff offensive?

Answer 1

• Germany had a short window between USA arriving and Russia leaving.
• They decided to put all their remaining resources and experienced soldiers into one last push to try and win.
• Although Germany initially broke the stalemate, they could not sustain the push and overstretched.

Question 2

What city did they hope to capture during the Spring Offensive?

Answer 2

Amiens

Question 3

What was significant about Amiens?

Answer 3

Transport hub + Where British and French lines met -> Weak spot

Question 4

What German weaknesses meant it was time for the Spring Offensive?

Answer 4

• The Blockade in the North Sea limiting food supplies
• Austria and Turkey being close to peace talks with the Allies.

Question 5

What German strengths meant it was time for the Ludendorff Offensive?

Answer 5

The Russian Revolution
Ludendorff’s heroism
1 million troops moving to the eastern front
Germany outnumbered the Allies

Question 6

What Allied weaknesses meant it was time for the Ludendorff Offensive?

Answer 6

• The French army had just mutinied after a failed offensive
• British morale was low following the failure at Passchendaele

Question 7

What Allied strength meant it was time for the Spring Offensive?

Answer 7

The imminent arrival of America

Question 8

How many hours did the artillery barrage last?

Answer 8

5

Question 9

How much territory was taken by the Germans initially?

Answer 9

60km -> Too deep, needed food and weapons, stopped advance speed and broke stalemate

Question 10

Which leader unified the French and British?

Answer 10

Foch

Question 11

What is a bulge in the line?

Answer 11

Salient

Question 12

How many soldiers did the Spring Offensive lose Germany?

Answer 12

500,000

Question 13

What were German strengths?

Answer 13

• Initial advance had lots of troops -> Lowers enemy morale
• Tear gas caused panic.
• Elite stormtroopers attacked weak spots in British lines e.g. Amiens
• Attacking along the whole line also allowed them to move faster.
• Long range artillery could target Paris

Question 14

What was a mistake the Germans made?

Answer 14

• Spread Stormtroopers too deep, advance slowed to give them food and weapons
• Did not break British lines -> No real change
• German losses were high with no reserves -> Lowers morale

Question 15

What led to a weakened Allied Resistance?

Answer 15

• Not enough reinforcement to hold thinly spread lines all over Western front
• Britain took over poorly made French trenches, ground was frozen
• 5 hour Hurricane Bombardment (1m shells) which pulverized British trenches
• Germany released poison and mustard gas before attacking -> confusion and panic
• Great start weakened British morale and panicked soldiers

Question 16

How many losses were suffered by each team by the end of the offensive?

Answer 16

Germany - 500,000
Allies - 328,000