BATTLE // March 21, 1918
Spring Offensive
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Overview
The German spring offensive, also known as Kaiserschlacht or the Ludendorff offensive, was a series of German attacks along the Western Front during the First World War, beginning on 21 March 1918. Following the American entry into the war in April 1917, the Germans decided that their only remaining chance of victory was to defeat the Allies before the United States could ship soldiers across the Atlantic and fully deploy its resources. The German Army had gained a temporary advantage in numbers as nearly 50 divisions had been freed by the Russian withdrawal from the war with the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Forces & casualties
Casualties
- German Empire688,341medium
- France433,000medium
Commanders (14)
France
Paul Maistredivisional general
German Empire
Erich Ludendorffgeneral
Max von Gallwitzgeneral
Paul von Hindenburggeneral field marshal
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FACTION· Belligerent
Allied Powers
FACTION· Belligerent
Central Powers
FACTION· Belligerent
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
FACTION· Belligerent
United States