German Spring Offensive 1918: Michael, Georgette & the Crisis of the BEF — Complete Field Guide

In spring 1918 Germany came closer than at any point since 1914 to breaking the Allied armies on the Western Front.

With troops released from the Eastern Front after Russia left the war, the German High Command launched a sequence of offensives beginning with Operation Michael on 21 March 1918.

Why Germany attacked

German leaders believed the arrival of growing American forces would eventually make the Allied material advantage overwhelming. The 1918 offensives were an attempt to win before that balance became decisive.

Stormtroop tactics

Assault units bypassed some strongpoints, followed short violent bombardments and pushed into rear areas. The aim was disruption rather than clearing every trench in sequence.

Operation Michael

The attack struck the British Fifth and Third Armies across the old Somme battlefield. Fog and surprise helped German infantry achieve deep penetrations. The British Fifth Army retreated while struggling to maintain a coherent line.

Command crisis

The offensive exposed coordination problems between British and French armies. The crisis contributed to Ferdinand Foch being given greater authority to coordinate Allied operations.

Operation Georgette

On 9 April the Germans attacked in Flanders. Fighting south of Ypres forced the British back from ground won the previous year, including the Messines ridge. Haig issued his famous 'backs to the wall' order during this phase.

Why the offensives failed

German troops advanced faster than supplies could follow, casualties among experienced assault troops were heavy and the offensives did not destroy the Allied armies. Tactical success repeatedly failed to produce a decisive operational result.

The initiative changes hands

By July the German attacks had lost momentum. Allied counter-attacks began to push the front back, setting conditions for the Hundred Days.

Sources and evidence used

• National Army Museum — 1918: Year of Victory.
• British, German and French official histories for the March–July offensives.

Related Field Notes

• Battle of Amiens 1918
• Western Front Campaign Guide