Ludendorff Spring Offensive

• What was the Ludendorff Spring Offensive?

  Germany's last chance to make a break in stalemate
• What was the plan for the Offensive?

  • A 5 hour hurricane bombardment
  • Ground attack utilising stormtroopers
• What do Ludendorff hope for?

  • The initial attack would cause confusion
  • The confusion would lead to further attacks and allow Germany to surround British forces, forcing them to surrender
  • Britain surrendering would lead to France surrendering as they would not be able to continue without their support
• How did the Ludendorff Spring Offensive start?

  Artillery Bombardment covering 150 square miles
• What was the Artillery bombardment followed by?

  Mustard Gas
• What happened after the Mustard Gas?


  The Stormtroopers advanced into the British line causing them many to flee and surrender

  • 20,000 British soldiers died
  • 35,000 soldiers wounded
  • 21,000 imprisoned
• What happened after the Stormtrooper advancement?

  They continued for a few weeks, advancing 60km into British territory
• What happened after their 60km advancement?

  • This came at a heavy price - 220,000 Germans killed
  • The rapid advance meant it was difficult to get supplies to the Stormtroopers
  • This slowed their advancement
• What was the Allied Force's response?

  • Troops became unified under Foch's command
  • Attacked at Salients - places where Germany had advanced more deeply
  • American soldiers were called and arrived quickly - 50,000 weekly
• What happened after the Allied Force's counter-attack?

  They pushed back Germans to the River Marne in July
• What was the "Hundred Days"?

  • A final series of attacks from the command of General Foch utilising American reinforcements and the failure of Ludendorff Spring Offensive
• Where and when was the first attack?

  • Amiens - September 1918
  • Ludendorff called this the "Black Day for the German Army"
• What was happening at the same time as Amiens?

  • Second Battle of Somme - Albert, Noyon, Bapaume
  • More victories for the Allied Forces
• What happened after the Second Battle of Somme?

  • French and American troops pushed back the Germans to the Hindenburg Line of 1917
  • British and others attacked near Ypres
• What happened by early October?

  • Allied Forces had broken through causing Germany to retreat
  • Bridges were burnt and wells were poisoned