The Explorers' Club, № DCXXIII

Operation AXIOM: The World War—The Spring Offensive, Part VII
4 July 1918: The Battle of Hamel—A meticulously planned Australian & American attack achieved all its objectives in a mere ninety-three minutes, demonstrating the combined-arms warfare (infantry, artillery, tanks, & aeroplanes acting in concert) that the Entente would use to such great effect in the war's endgame; the Germans were routed from their trenches & a nighttime gas counterattack failed.

Lest we forget.

The Wayback Machine Tour of the Spring Offensive
№ DCXII: Operation Michael: Stormtroopers & the A7V (Part I)
№ DCXIV: Operation Michael: Fastest & farthest advance since 1914 (Part II)
№ DCXVI: Operation Georgette: The Battle of the Lys (Part III)
№ DCXVII: Operation Blücher-Yorck: The Third Battle of the Aisne (Part IV)
№ DCXX: Operation Gneisenau: The Battle of the Matz (Part V)
№ DCXXII: Operation Blücher-Yorck: The Battle of Belleau Wood (Part VI)

The Explorers' Club, № DCXXII

Operation AXIOM: The World War—The Spring Offensive, Part VI
1-26 June 1918: The Battle of Belleau Wood—A German breach of the French lines was halted by the stubborn resistance of United States Marines, who refused French orders to retreat & later counterattacked, retaking the wood after a months' fierce fighting; the battle has entered the lore of the U.S. Marine Corps, whom the Germans purportedly nicknamed "Teufel Hunden" ("Devil Dogs").

Commentary: When advised by the French to withdraw, a Marine officer, Major Lloyd W. Williams (1887-1918), replied with the famous words, "Retreat, Hell! We just got here!" Major Williams died at Belleau Wood a captain, but was posthumously promoted to major.

Lest we forget.

The Explorers' Club, № DCXX

Operation AXIOM: The World War—The Spring Offensive, Part V
9-12 June 1019: The Battle of Matz (Operation Gneisenau)—The Germans attacked across a broad front along the River Matz; the French were forewarned by German P.O.W.s, yet the stormtroopers advanced 'til a massive French counterattack (11 June) surprised them by proceeding without a preliminary artillery bombardment, spearheaded by Saint-Chamond & Schneider CA tanks.

Lest we forget.

The Explorers' Club, № DCXVIII

Operation AXIOM: The World War—The Spring Offensive, Part IV
27 May-6 June 1918: The Third Battle of the Aisne (Operation Blücher-Yorck)—A massive & surprise artillery & gas bombardment helped the Germans capture the Chemin des Dames ridge (originally captured in 1914, recaptured by the French in 1917) & storm through the Entente lines, advancing to within thirty-five miles of Paris; the stormtroopers stopped at the Marne, men & matériel exhausted.

Lest we forget.

The Explorers' Club, № DCXVI

Operation AXIOM: The World War—The Spring Offensive, Part III
7-29 April 1918: The Battle of the Lys (Operation Georgette)—The Germans overran the Portuguese Expeditionary Corps & menaced the Channel ports, the lifeline for the British; the Entente offered a spirited defense along the River Lys, but the Germans were ultimately thwarted by their inability to adequately resupply the rapidly advancing stormtroopers & replace the heavy losses they suffered.

Lest we forget.

The Explorers' Club, № DCXIV

Operation AXIOM: The World War—The Spring Offensive, Part II
21 March-5 April: Operation Michael—The Germans advanced farther, faster than at any other point since 1914, taking thousands of British P.O.W.s & advancing forty miles in some places; the Entente countered with a brilliant tactical choice, surrendering indefensible ground devastated in the Battle of the Somme while reinforcing & successfully defending the vital strategic positions of Amiens & Arras.

Lest we forget.

The Explorers' Club, № DCXII

Operation AXIOM: The World War—The Spring Offensive, Part I
21 March-5 April 1918: Operation Michael—The Germans, bolstered by fifty divisions transferred to the Western Front after the victory on the Eastern Front, launched an all-out offensive aimed at driving the British Expeditionary Force into the sea & the French to the negotiating table, making widespread use of "stormtrooper" tactics & including the combat debut of a German tank, the A7V.

Lest we forget.