endofww1.ppt-smccmodernhistory.pptVIP

German Defeat Allied Victory In January 1918… Morale in French Army low German U-boat campaign had failed to starve Britain into surrender Russia had withdrawn from the war, freeing up a large amount of German troops. BUT… American troops, equipment supplies had begun reinforcing the Allies in large numbers Allied blockade of Germany was causing severe hardship shortages, leading to unrest Germany’s allies were on the verge of collapse. Operation St Michael (the Spring Offensive) Ludendorff prepared a final offensive designed to break through to Paris using shock troops portable trench mortars, machine guns flamethrowers surprise attacks Germans launched 5 attacks (Mar – Jul) made significant gains, esp against the French in the first 3 attacks the last two attacks failed Results… after initial lack of Allied cooperation, Foch appointed as a unified commander-in-chief German troops were exhausted German Army had no reserves to replace their losses Allied Counterattack Began July 18 across the River Marne Allies used aircraft, tanks en masse Germans retreated in an orderly manner even though morale was low Germans disheartened by amount of Allied supplies equipment 2nd Allied attack on August 8 ‘black day’ for the German Army: surrendered in large numbers Germans fell back to the Hindenburg Line German soil not touched yet! By the end of September Ludendorff demanded that the politicians sue for peace By the end of October Hindenburg line breached in a number of places Germans in retreat by Nov 11, almost all Germans out of France. Some Reasons for Allied Victory Effect of US troops reinforcements morale Tanks (not significant by themselves but…) Allies produced them in numbers used in numbers Collapse in German morale consequent unrest on Home Front Allied blockade of Central Powers led to severe shortages hardship Failure of Schlieffen Plan Combined economic strength of the Allies Weakness of Germany’s all