Operation Michael, 21 - 24 March 1918

[ejwalshe]

Part I - Operation Michael, 21 - 24 March 1918. Kaiserschlacht - was the final military offensive of the German Army in the Great War, starting 21 March 1918. The campaign included four offensives codenamed Michael, Georgette, Gneisenau, and Blücher-Yorck. Operation Michael was launched from the Hindenburg Line, in the vicinity of Saint-Quentin; the operation was considered over by 5 April 1918 and was known to the Allied Powers as the following actions and battles: Battle of St. Quentin, Actions at the Somme Crossings, First Battle of Bapaume, Battle of Rosières, First Battle of Arras, Battle of the Avre and Battle of the Ancre. British wounded prisoner of Machine Gun Corps being treated by German medical orderlies, other British soldier is of the Hampshire Regiment. British soldiers clearing three houses Rue de France at Saint-Pol, struck by a German 380 mm shell; there were 11 victims, including 8 children, 21 March 1918. A battalion of the Middlesex Regiment moving up through Achiet-le-Petit. German wounded being evacuated by a RAMC ambulance train, near Bapaume. Spad S.VII single seat fighter biplanes of the No.23 squadron Royal Flying Corps possibly at Bray Sur Somme, 23 March 1918. French refugees and their belongings loaded into farm carts near Bretencourt moving westward to escape the advancing Germans, 23 March 1918. British troops building barricades in Nesle, where 20th Divisional H.Q. was established that day, 23 March 1918. Mark IV Female tank passing through Peronne on 23 March 1918. In the background can be seen an abandoned Expeditionary Force Canteen and smoke from burning stores. British soldiers resting near the railway station at Compiegne (where the Armistice was signed).

[stripeyman]

Good selection of photos, some well known others not so. Interesting.....

[josquin]

An excellent selection of photographs that gives a sense of immediacy and vividness to the early phase of Operation Michael.

Thank you for posting such a comprehensive collection, for this and for the later stages of the Kaiserschlacht.

Best regards,

Josquin

[ejwalshe]

Thank you @josquin  Operation George, downgraded to Operation Georgette is proving to be just as prolific in terms of photos.  And we have another two campaigns to go!  Cheers, Ted