Spring Offensive

Question 1

When was Ludendorff’s Spring Offensive?

Answer 1

21st March-18th July

Question 2

What were 3 reasons for the Offensive?

Answer 2

1. Unrest in Germany (blockade, growing peace movement)
2. Russia had left the war
3. American entry

Question 3

When was Operation Michael?

Answer 3

21st March-April

Question 4

What happened during Operation Michael?

Answer 4

Short, concentrated, multi-phase bombardments; mobile warfare (stormtroopers), artillery barrage. Within 10 days, could almost break link between French and British armies

Question 5

How far were the Germans from Paris after Operation Michael (21st March)?

Answer 5

Within 100km of Paris

Question 6

What were the casualties from Operation Michael (both sides)?

Answer 6

250,000 German casualties

150,000 British/French

Question 7

When was Operation Blucher York?

Answer 7

End of May-early June

Question 8

what did Blucher York aim to do?

Answer 8

Break through sailent

Question 9

What were the consequences of Blucher York on the German army?

Answer 9

500,000 German casualties. Morale basically gone

Question 10

When was the Battle of Hamel?

Answer 10

4th July

Question 11

How was Hamel (4th July) effective?

Answer 11

Effective use of reconnaissance (where artillery fire would land, strategic positioning), use of aircraft to attack front/reserve lines, first use of Mark V tank alongside artillery, effective cooperation of British, American Australian forces

Question 12

How did Allied air forces stop the Second Battle of the Marne?

Answer 12

Attacked supply lines and bridges on the Marne

Question 13

What were the ultimate consequences of the Spring Offensive?

Answer 13

Established 65km salient across Flanders (huge–but could not be held)

Question 14

What were German casualties after the Spring Offensive?

Answer 14

1 million men

Question 15

What was the impact of the Spring Offensive on German supplies?

Answer 15

Lost 22 tanks, more than 200 aircraft

Question 16

What happened once the French and British decided an overall commander was necessary?

Answer 16

General Foch was appointed Supreme Allied Commander on the Western Front in 1918

Question 17

When was the Hindenburg Line broken, and in which battle?

Answer 17

Central Attack on 27th September

Question 18

When was the creeping barrage successfully used–>fighting retreat?

Answer 18

Reduction of the Soissons-Marne Salient July 1918

Question 19

When was the Battle of Amiens?

Answer 19

8th August-3rd September

Question 20

What was significant about the strategies and tactics used during the Battle of Amiens?

Answer 20

No barrage–attack conducted behind light tanks (Mark V, Whippet). Secrecy high; hidden by mist.

Question 21

What was the outcome of Amiens?

Answer 21

Broke 5 German divisions. Allied losses 6500; German losses 30,000. Pushed Germans back to the Hindenburg line-‘black day’

Question 22

What was significant about the Central Attack?

Answer 22

27th September. Broke the Hindenburg line by capturing a stretch of the main line. A second set piece attack on the 3rd October pushed the Germans out of the reserve line

Question 23

Where was an example of British/American cooperation?

Answer 23

Central Attack–40 British divisions supported by Americans

Question 24

When was the Allied Response?

Answer 24

18th July-11th November