Order of battle for the Spring Offensive facts for kids

Quick facts for kids German Spring Offensive, 1918
Part of the Western Front of World War I
German gains in 1918
Date 21 March – 18 July 1918 Location Northern France; West Flanders, Belgium 50°00′10″N 02°39′10″E / 50.00278°N 2.65278°E / 50.00278; 2.65278 Result See Aftermath section
Belligerents
German Empire Bavaria  Prussia  Saxony  Württemberg	France British Empire Australia Canada  India Newfoundland New Zealand  South Africa United Kingdom  United States Italy Portugal
Commanders and leaders
Erich Ludendorff	Ferdinand Foch Douglas Haig Philippe Pétain John J. Pershing Alberico Albricci Tamagnini de Abreu

The German Spring Offensive was a series of huge attacks by the German army during World War I. It took place from March 21 to July 18, 1918. This major push was also known as the Ludendorff Offensive.

The main goal was to win the war before more American troops arrived. Germany wanted to break through the Western Front in France. They hoped to defeat the British and French armies quickly.

One of the first and biggest parts of this offensive was called Operation Michael. This battle happened in the Somme region of northern France. It involved many different armies from both sides.

German Armies: The Big Push

The German forces were organized into several large groups. Each group had many armies under its command. These armies were made up of many divisions. A division is a large military unit, usually thousands of soldiers.

Army Group Crown Prince Rupprecht

This group was led by Generalfeldmarschall Rupprecht, Crown Prince of Bavaria. It included four main armies:

• 4th Army
• 6th Army
• 17th Army
• 2nd Army

Army Group German Crown Prince

This group was commanded by General der Infanterie Wilhelm, Crown Prince of Germany. It had four important armies:

• 18th Army
• 7th Army
• 1st Army
• 3rd Army

Army Group Gallwitz

This group was led by General der Artillerie Max von Gallwitz. It included:

• 5th Army
• Armee-Abteilung C

Army Group Duke Albrecht

This group was under the command of Generalfeldmarschall Albrecht, Duke of Württemberg. It had three main parts:

• 19th Army
• Armee-Abteilung A
• Armee-Abteilung B

Allied Forces: Standing Strong

The Allied forces included soldiers from Britain, France, and later, the United States. They also had troops from countries like Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa. These forces worked together to stop the German attacks.

British Armies

The British forces were a key part of the Allied defense. They had two main armies involved in Operation Michael.

Fifth Army

This army was led by General Sir Hubert Gough. It included several corps, which are large groups of divisions.

• III Corps
• XVIII Corps
• XIX Corps
• VII Corps
• The US Army also had some railway engineers supporting this army.

Third Army

General Hon. Sir Julian Byng commanded the Third Army. It also had many corps and divisions.

• V Corps
• IV Corps
• VI Corps
• XVII Corps
• The Cavalry Corps provided mounted troops.

French Armies

The French armies played a vital role in defending against the German offensive. They were organized under General Émile Fayolle.

Third Army (France)

This army was led by General Georges Louis Humbert. It included:

• V Corps
• II Cavalry Corps

First Army (France)

General Marie-Eugène Debeney commanded the First Army. It also included cavalry units.

• 56th Division
• II Cavalry Corps
• 1st Cavalry Division
• 5th Cavalry Division
• 6th Cavalry Division