Operation Michael, the Spring Offensive

   On the 21st of March 1918 the German Army launched attack on the Western Front, code named Operation Michael. Half a million German troops were moved from the Russian front to take part in the offensive. Attack opened with a huge bombardment over 45 miles of the front line . One million artillery shells were fired on the Allied lines during a five hour barrage. This was followed by a swift assault across a battered landscape swathed in mist and artillery smoke. Sixty five Divisions of the Imperial German Army overwhelmed the 26 Allied Divisions who were holding the trenches. The front lines were pushed back across the hard fought battlefields of the Somme and by the time the advance was brought to a halt in early May, parts of the front line were further west than the old front line had been prior to the 1st of July 1916 when the Allied had launched their assault.

1st Mar 1918 Zones

19th Mar 1918 Information

20th Mar 1918 Bombardment

20th Mar 1918 Into Support

20th Mar 1918 Orders

20th Mar 1918 In Action

20th Mar 1918 Warning

21st Mar 1918 34th Division over run  On 21st March 1918, the great German spring offensive overran the positions of 34th Division at Croisilles on the River Sensee, causing many losses.

21st Mar 1918 6th Dorsets hold the line

21st March 1918 In Action

21st Mar 1918 Into Position

21st Mar 1918 Arrangements

21st Mar 1918 In Action

21st Mar 1918 In Defence

21st Mar 1918 Enemy Attacks

21st March 1918 Withdraw under artillery fire

21st Mar 1918 Bombardment

21st Mar 1918 Gas

21st Mar 1918 In Defence

21st Mar 1918 Attack

21st Mar 1918 Enemy Attacks

21st Mar 1918 Bombardment

21st Mar 1918 Enemy Attack

21st Mar 1918 In Defence

21st Mar 1918 Enemy Attacks

21st March 1918 7th Battalion, East Kent Regiment (The Buffs).

21st March 1918 In Action

21st Mar 1918 Enemy Attack

21st Mar 1918 Bombardment

21st Mar 1918 In Action

21st Mar 1918 Orders

21st Mar 1918 Bombardment

21st Mar 1918 Under Attack

21st Mar 1918 Photograph

21st Mar 1918 Attack

21st Mar 1918 Enemy Attack

21st Mar 1918 Enemy Attacks

21st of March 1918 Intense Barrage

21st Mar 1918 Thick Mist

21st March 1918 Bombardment

21st Mar 1918 In Action

21st Mar 1918 Attack Made

21st Mar 1918 Hard Fighting

21st Mar 1918 Dispositions

21st Mar 1918 Attack Made

21st Mar 1918 Hard Fighting

21st Mar 1918 Critical Situation

21st Mar 1918 Counter Attack

21st Mar 1918 Withdrawal

21st Mar 1918 Gallant Actions

22nd Mar 1918 Withdrawal

22nd Mar 1918 Messages

22nd Mar 1918 Fighting Withdrawal

22nd Mar 1918 In Action

22nd Mar 1918 Aerial Battles

22nd Mar 1918 Recce

22nd Mar 1918 Withdrawal

22nd Mar 1918 Bridge

22nd Mar 1918 Fighting Retreat

22nd March 1918 In Action

22nd Mar 1918 Heavy Shelling

22nd Mar 1918 In Action

22nd Mar 1918 In Defence

22nd Mar 1918 In Action

22nd Mar 1918 In Action

22nd Mar 1918 In Action

22nd Mar 1918 Dispositions

22nd Mar 1918 Attack Made

22nd Mar 1918 In Action

22nd Mar 1918 Under Pressure

22nd Mar 1918 Under Attack

22nd Mar 1918 Heavy Shelling

22nd Mar 1918 Enemy Attacks

22nd of March 1918 Message

22nd Mar 1918 Withdrawal

22nd Mar 1918 The Fight for The Crozat Canal

22nd Mar 1918 Orders Issued

22nd Mar 1918 Bridges not Blown

23rd Mar 1918 Withdrawal

23rd Mar 1918 Messages

23rd Mar 1918 Fighting Withdrawal

23nd Mar 1918 Reliefs

23nd Mar 1918 In Defence

23rd Mar 1918 Orders

23rd Mar 1918 Withdrawal

23rd Mar 1918 Fighting Withdrawal

23rd Mar 1918 Fighting Retreat

23rd March 1918 Received head injury

23rd March 1918 In Action

23rd Mar 1918 Rearguard Action

23rd Mar 1918 Withdrawal

23rd Mar 1918 In Defence

23rd Mar 1918 On the Move

23rd Mar 1918 Withdrawal

23rd Mar 1918 Heavy Fighting

23rd Mar 1918 Enemy Advance

23rd Mar 1918 Hard Fighting

23rd Mar 1918 In Action

23rd Mar 1918 Further Back

23rd March 1918 Orders

23rd Mar 1918 Retreat

23rd Mar 1918 Orders Received

23rd Mar 1918 Attack Made

23rd Mar 1918 Attack Made

23rd Mar 1918 Heavy Attacks

23rd Mar 1918 Heavy Attacks

23rd Mar 1918 Heavy Attacks

24th Mar 1918 In Defence

24th Mar 1918 Messages

24th Mar 1918 Fighting Withdrawal

24th Mar 1918 Holding the Line

24th Mar 1918 Enemy Advances

24th Mar 1918 Fighting Retreat

24th Mar 1918 Fighting Withdrawal

24th Mar 1918 In Defence

24th March 1918 In Action

24th Mar 1918 Fierce Fighting

24th Mar 1918 Orders

24th Mar 1918 Town Lost

24th Mar 1918 In Defence

24th Mar 1918 Withdrawal

24th Mar 1918 Fighting Withdrawal

24th of March 1918 Message

24th Mar 1918 In Action

24th Mar 1918 Pushed Back

24th March 1918 Shelling

24th Mar 1918 New Line

25th Mar 1918 Counter Attack

25th Mar 1918 Holding the Line

25th Mar 1918 Enemy Attacks

25th Mar 1918 Enemy Advance

25th Mar 1918 In Defence

25th Mar 1918 Counter Attack

25th Mar 1918 In Defence

25th March 1918 In Action

25th Mar 1918 Fierce Attack

25th Mar 1918 Holding the Line

25th Mar 1918 Enemy Attacks

25th Mar 1918 Hard Fighting

25th Mar 1918 Withdrawal

25th Mar 1918 Pressed Back

25th Mar 1918 Enemy Advance

25th Mar 1918 Withdrawal

25th Mar 1918 In Action

25th March 1918 Reliefs

25th Mar 1918 Line Broken

25th Mar 1918 In Action

26th Mar 1918 In Action

26th Mar 1918 Withdrawal

26th Mar 1918 Shelling

26th Mar 1918 Reliefs Complete

26th Mar 1918 Withdrawal

26th Mar 1918 In Defence

26th March 1918 Holding the Line

26th Mar 1918 Holding the Line

26th Mar 1918 In Defence

26th Mar 1918 On the March

26th Mar 1918 Fighting Withdrawal

26th Mar 1918 On the Move

26th Mar 1918 Fighting Withdrawal

26th Mar 1918 Casualties

26th Mar 1918 Orders

26th Mar 1918 On the Move

26th Mar 1918 Infantry Withdraw

26th March 1918 The Green Line held

26th Mar 1918 Withdrawal

26th Mar 1918 Reopening

27th Mar 1918 Congratulation Telegram

27th Mar 1918 Under Fire

27th Mar 1918 In Action

27th Mar 1918 Counter Attack

27th Mar 1918 Praise

27th Mar 1918 Fighting Withdrawal

27th March 1918 Attack & Counter Attack

27th Mar 1918 Into Billets

27th Mar 1918 On the March

27th Mar 1918 Enemy Push

27th Mar 1918 In Defence

27th Mar 1918 Attacks Repelled

27th Mar 1918 At Rest

27th Mar 1918 On the Move

27th Mar 1918 New Positions

27th March 1918 Front heavily bombarded

27th Mar 1918 In Action

28th March 1918 Reserve Attacked

28th Mar 1918 In Action

28th Mar 1918 Confusion

28th Mar 1918 Move

28th Mar 1918 In Action

28th Mar 1918 Reliefs Complete

28th Mar 1918 Holding the Line

28th March 1918 In Action

28th Mar 1918 Reorganisation

28th Mar 1918 On the March

28th Mar 1918 On the March

28th Mar 1918 In Defence

28th Mar 1918 Harassing Fire

28th Mar 1918 Reorganisation

28th March 1918 Line Held

29th Mar 1918 Orders

29th Mar 1918 Relief

29th Mar 1918 Holding the Line

29th Mar 1918 Inspection

King George V inspecting the 6th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders of 51st Division, 29th of March 1918. The Battalion had just come out of the line having lost 16 officers and 300 men. The Battalion was at Frevent and about to entrain. © IWM (Q 11465)
IWM

29th March 1918 Hard Fighting

29th Mar 1918 In Defence

29th Mar 1918 Harassing Fire

29th Mar 1918 Orders

29th Mar 1918 On the Move

29th Mar 1918 Attack

29th Mar 1918 In Action

30th Mar 1918 Orders

30th Mar 1918 Reliefs

30th Mar 1918 In Action

30th Mar 1918 Holding the Line

30th Mar 1918 Reliefs

30th Mar 1918 Relief Completed

30th Mar 1918 Defence

31st Mar 1918 Fierce Fighting

31st Mar 1918 Attack

31st Mar 1918 Quieter

31st Mar 1918 Into the Trenches

31st Mar 1918 Holding the Line

31st March 1918 Relief

31st Mar 1918 Reliefs

31st Mar 1918 In Action

31st March 1918 Report on recent operations

1st Apr 1918 Prisoners Taken

1st Apr 1918 Holding the Line

2nd Apr 1918 Holding the Line

2nd Apr 1918 Attack Made

2nd Apr 1918 Holding the Line

3rd Apr 1918 Holding the Line

3rd Apr 1918 Praise

3rd Apr 1918 Holding the Line

4th Apr 1918 Reliefs

4th Apr 1918 Shelling

4th Apr 1918 Reliefs

4th Apr 1918 Inspiring Conduct In Recent Battle

5th Apr 1918 Shelling

5th Apr 1918 Shelling

5th Apr 1918 On the March

6th Apr 1918 Enemy Attacks

6th Apr 1918 Reliefs

7th Apr 1918 Reliefs

7th Apr 1918 Holding the Line

8th Apr 1918 Holding the Line

8th Apr 1918 Reorganisation

9th Apr 1918 Reliefs

9th Apr 1918 On the March

1918-04-13 No Casualties

14th Apr 1918 In Action

22nd Mar 1918 Heavy Shelling

If you can provide any additional information, please add it here.

Want to know more about Operation Michael, the Spring Offensive?

There are:252 items tagged Operation Michael, the Spring Offensive available in our Library

These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Great War.

Those known to have served in
Operation Michael, the Spring Offensive
during the Great War 1914-1918.

Adams William Thomas. Pte (d.21st March 1918)
Addiss Thomas. Pte. (d.21st Mar 1918)
Armstrong Reginald George. Pte. (d.26th Mar 1918)
Astles Edgar. AB.
Atkins Bert. Pte. (d.1st Apr 1918)
Bailey Harry. Pte. (d.21st Mar 1918)
Bartlet Albert Edward. Pte.
Bates Hermann Robert Alfred. Pte. (d.27th Mar 1918)
Baxter Charles Roland James. Pte. (d.21st March 1918)
Beeson Francis Henry. Pte.
Beney Horace. Pte. (d.21st March 1918)
Billingsley John Alexander. Pte. (d.22nd Mar 1918)
Blake James. Pte. (d.21st March 1918)
Bourque Eugene Valentine.
Britton Albert. Sgt. (d.25th March 1918)
Brooksbank Gordon. Pte. (d.20th Mar 1918 )
Broom William John. Pte.
Burt MiD. Leonard. CSM. (d.26th October 1918)
Burton Charles Silvester. Pte. (d.23rd Mar 1918)
Capon George William. Pte. (d.24th March 1918)
Carbis Thomas. L/Bmbdr. (d.21st March 1918)
Casey John. Pte. (d.21st March 1918)
Casterton Percy Thomas Frederick. Pte.
Catanach Charles Edward. Pte. (d.21st March 1918)
Cavill John Thomas. Rfmn.
Chapman Percy. Pte. (d.28th Mar 1918)
Coates John. Pte. (d.24th Mar 1918)
Cockerill George William. Pte. (d.23rd March 1918)
Cockwill Reginald Darke. Pte. (d.26th March 1918)
Coffee Albert Charles. L/Cpl. (d.23rd March 1918)
Collins Harry. Drvr. (d.22th Mar 1918)
Cooper MiD, Joseph. Bmbdr. (d.21st Mar 1918)
Cooper Myles. Lt.
Copplestone Alfred Percy. Cpl.
Cornford Percy David Frederick. Pte. (d.27th May 1918)
Cosford Joseph Henry. Rflmn. (d.21st March 1918)
Cowie William. Pte. (d.28th March 1918)
Cowling Bernard William Kingsbury. Rflmn. (d.24th Apr 1918)
Cross Terriss Norman. Sig.
Crossan Bernard. Pte. (d.22nd March 1918)
Cunnington Edward Charles. Capt. (d.23rd March 1918)
Curry Robert Beckett. Pte.
Dalzell Thomas Frost. 2nd Lt.
Davies Benjamin. Pte. (d.21st March 1918)
Davies Frederick George. Pte (d.March 1918)
Deeming Frank Tetlow. Capt. (d.21st Mar 1918)
Deykin Harold H.. Pte. (d.21st Mar 1918)
Douglas William. Pte. (d.21st Mar 1918)
Dowling Patrick. Sgt. (d.21st March 1918)
Dunlop MM. Stanley Ward. Pte. (d.24th of March 1918)
Edwards Thomas William. Pte.
Ellis William Henry. Pte. (d.21st Mar 1918)
Evans Thomas Joseph. Sgt. (d.26th March 1918)
Fall Reginald. Pte. (d.24th Mar 1918)
Fell David. Pte. (d.29th March 1918)
Fell David. Pte. (d.29th March 1918)
Fisher MM. Leonard. Pte. (d.22nd March 1918)
Francis William Joseph. 2nd Lt. (d.23rd March 1918)
Friday John Edward. Pte. (d.23rd Mar 1918)
Gardiner John Slater. Cpl. (d.21st March 1918)
Gawthorpe William. Pte. (d.21st Mar 1918)
Gilbert Fred. Pte. (d.24th March 1918)
Glover Roland. Pte. (d.4th April 1918)
Gordon Duncan. (d.21st - 29th March 1918)
Green John. Pte. (d.29th May 1918)
Gregory Haworth. Pte. (d.2nd Apr 1918)
Grover Walter Ernest. Pte.
Hancocks William Thomas. L/Cpl. (d.21st March 1918)
Harper Levi. Pte.
Hawkes Frederick James . Pte. (d.24th March 1918)
Heenan Thomas George Grandon. 2Lt. (d.21st March 1918)
Hibbert Francis Benjamin. Pte.
Hirst MC. Joesph. Capt.
Hodder MM. Benjamin Alfred. Cpl.
Hodge Geoffrey. Cpl. (d.21st March 1918)
Hollingsworth John Albert. L/Cpl.
Hosier Ernest. L/Cpl. (d.29th March 1918)
Howorth Harry. Pte. (d.27th March 1918)
Hubbard Albert Edward. Pte. (d.24th Mar 1918)
Huison George Christopher . Cpl.
Humberstone Samuel. Pte. (d.25th March 1918)
Ingham Charles Henry. Spr. (d.22nd March 1918)
Ingram John Leonard. Pte.
Jackson David. Pte. (d.21st March 1918)
Jackson Samuel. Pte. (d.27th Mar 1918)
Joyce Ernest. Cpl.
Kay MBE. John Brayshaw. Pte.
Kaye Lister Walter. Sgt. (d.21st Mar 1918)
Kemp MC. Douglas. 2nd Lt. (d.23rd Mar 1918)
Kidd MM. Robert. CSM. (d.21st March 1918)
Kirton Arthur Edgar. Pte.
Klink Charles Ambrose. L/Cpl. (d.27th Mar 1918)
Larder Francis Emlyn. Gnr. (d.30th Mar 1918)
Larn MC, MID. Cyril Francis. Mjr.
Law Frank Edger. Sgt.
Lee George. Pte. (d.21st Mar 1918)
LeLievre Jean Auguste. Able Sea. (d.2nd April 1918)
Lloyd Edwin Robert. Rflm. (d.23rd March 1918)
Low Harold Ayling. Rflmn. (d.21st March 1918)
Lyons John. Rflmn.
Mapplethorpe William Alfred Gorbutt. Fitter. (d.21st Mar 1918)
Mayhew Frank. Dvr.
McCarroll James. Rflmn. (d.24th March 1918)
McClymont James. Pte (d.22nd March 1918)
McCord William. Pte. (d.29th of March 1918)
McCusker James. Sgt.
McKenna John James. Cpl.
Mckenzie Donald. Pte. (d.21st Mar 1918)
McPartlin Michael Joseph. Sgt.
Melrose Thomas Shaw. Pte. (d.21st March 1918)
Mills Archibald. Pte.
Mills Robert. Pte. (d.29th March 1918)
Moulding George. Sgt. (d.25th Mar 1918)
Mullett Herbert Lesley. Sgt.
Murphy Charles. Pte. (d.18th May 1918)
Nairn MID William John. Pte.
Nelson Frederick. Pte. (d.22nd Mar 1918)
Ness William. Pte. (d.28th Mar 1918)
Oliver Albert George. Rfmn.
Osman Stanley Victor. Pte.
Parker Charles Frederick. Pte. (d.21st March 1918)
Pass Thomas Francis. Pte.
Peace Thomas. Pte. (d.5th April 1918)
Philcox Stanley James. Pte.
Platt Sydney. Pte. (d.24th Mar 1918)
Preddy Frederick William. Pte. (d.16th June 1918)
Prizeman Frederick Joseph. Pte. (d.21st March 1918)
Quicke Henry. 2nd Lt. (d.23rd Mar 1918)
Ree Henry. Pte. (d.30th Mar 1918)
Reedman Ernest Wade. Pte. (d.27th Mar 1918)
Reeve Herbert Ernest. Pte.
Roberts MM Frederick Paul. Gnr. (d.9th July 1918)
Rumsey Stanley Frederick. Spr. (d.25th Mar 1918)
Ryan Patrick Joseph. 2nd Lt. (d.21st March 1918)
Ryan Patrick Joseph. 2Lt. (d.23rd March 1918 )
Ryan Patrick. Pte.
Searle Ronald Spencer. Lt.
Seymour Charles Thomas. Pte.
Sharpe William. Sgt.
Shillibeer John William Laurance. Rflmn. (d.23rd March 1918)
Shimeld Percy. Pte. (d.23rd-25th August 1918)
Skipp Ralph. Pte. (d.27th Mar 1918)
Smallman George. Pte. (d.21st March 1918)
Smith Ernest Arthur. Pte. (d.28th Mar 1918)
Souter Andrew. Pte (d.March 1918)
Spencer John. Pte. (d.4th Apr 1918)
Sprott MC. Robert. Lt.
Stewart John Armit . Pte.
Stewart MM. Percy Douglas. 2nd Lt.
Swallow Alfred Bailey. CSM. (d.21st Mar 1918)
Swann William. Pte.
Sweetland John Thomas. Pte. (d.24th Mar 1918)
Thompson Arthur Minke. Pte.
Thomson John. Pte.
Townson Francis Richard. Pte. (d.20th July 1918)
Traylen MC. Norman Algernon. Lt. (d.4th November 1918)
Tritton Edward Henry. Sgt.
Turnbull Gilbert Stanley. Gnr.
Turner William. Pte.
Vaughan Thomas Llewellyn. Pte. (d.22nd March 1918)
Vaux Frederic. Pte.
Walker Roland Alex. Pte. (d.8th Aug 1918)
Ward MID. Leonard Richard. Cpl. (d.24th March 1918)
Westwood Edward James. Rflmn.
Williams Horace P.. Rflmn. (d.1st April 1918)
Willis Benjamin. Pte. (d.21st March 1918)
Wilson John. Gnr. (d.12th April 1918)
Wixted Michael. Pte.
Wolff MID. Gustav Frederick. A/Maj. (d.21st Mar 1918)
Wolstenholme MM & Bar. William. Sgt.
Wright Charles. Rflmn. (d.31st Mar 1918)
Wright Sydney Paul Johnson. Pte (d.21st March 1918)
Young Robert. Pte.

The names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed, please Add a Name to this List

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Operation Michael, the Spring Offensive
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- Operation Michael, the Spring Offensive in the Great War -

Those known to have served in
Operation Michael, the Spring Offensive
during the Great War 1914-1918.