1. Germany’s Last Gamble Ludendorff Offensive 1918

2. Last Attempt at winning the War A series of German Attacks along the Western Front. The Germans had realised that their only remaining chance of victory was to defeat the Allies before the overwhelming human and material resources of the United States could be deployed.

3. Why could they launch such a large attack? the advantage of nearly 50 divisions freed by the Russian surrender

4. Aims of the Offensive launch a decisive blow against the Allies Use the temporary numerical advantage 500,000 extra soldiers available. Take advantage of the heavy British losses and the French mutinies. The central allies of Austria and Turkey were in trouble and talking about surrendering.

5. Early Successes The offensive started 18 th March 1918 By April pushed British backed 40km and 70,000 British soldiers taken prisoner.

6. The Allies hold The allies had been pushed back but established a new frontline and more importantly hold back the German advance. Germany suffered heavy casualties and fresh US troops were arriving all the time.

7. Ludendorff still believed victory was possible and ordered further attacks. By the end of May, German forces were only 60km from Paris. But again the Allies managed to halt the German advance. US troops were now fighting alongside the Allies.

8. German Moral Smashed In July the Allies counter-attacked which broke the moral of the German army forcing it to retreat. It had suffered high casualties while the US were reinforcing the Allied troops. Along with the problems of the German Home Front the soldiers and public had finally had enough of war.

9. The Final stages of WW1 Sept 29, Bulgaria an ally of Germany surrendered. Oct 29, German sailors went on strike (mutiny). Strikes and riots elsewhere in Germany Oct 30, Turkey surrendered Nov, Austria-Hungary surrenders Nov 9, Kaiser abdicates and fled to Holland. The new German Government ask the Allies for a ceasefire.

10. Questions Why did the Germans feel they had to set up a massive offensive in 1918? Who designed the plan? What was the aims of the offensive? Why do you think the offensive was a success at first? Why did the offensive turn in favour of the Allies Why did the failure lead to German morale being crushed? Why do you think the Germans surrendered when they did?