Battle of Amiens

The battles of Amiens took place from August 8th to 12th 1918, on the Western face, in France.

The British task force of the marshal to sir Douglas Haig directs the offensive which will become the battle of Amiens. The attack is intended to release a broad part of the railway line between Paris and Amiens, occupied by the Germans since the Opération Michael, led to March.

The offensive is directed by British IVe armed with the general to sir Henry Rawlinson which must advance methodically on a face of 25 km. The attack is preceded by a short stopping and more than 400 Tank S open the projection of 11 British divisions committed in the first phase of the attack. The left wing of the I {{Re}} French Army with the general Eugene Debeney supports the British offensive.

German defenses are protected by IIe armed with the general Georg von der Marwitz and the XVIIIe army with the general Oskar von Hutier. The two generals have of 14 divisions in frontline and 9 divisions of reserve. The Franco-British attack is an enormous success and the Germans are constrained to beat a retreat of 15 km.

The behavior of the German army is worrying, certain units in first line simply fled the engagements without opposing much resistance, others, some 15.000 soldiers, quickly went. When the news comes from to the general Ludendorff, Head of State associated general major, it qualifies on August 8th of “ black day of the German army ”. The situation is not arranged. The following day, of many other German soldiers prisoners are made.

August 10th, the battle of Amiens evolves to the south of projecting held by the Germans. The IIIème French Army moves on Montdidier, it forces the Germans to give up the city and allows the reopening of the shoed line Amiens - Paris.

The first phase of the offensive comes to a end vis-a-vis the increased resistance of the Germans the 12. However, their defeat is clear. The German losses rise with 40.000 killed, wounded men and 33.000 captive facts. The French and British losses add up 46.000 soldiers.

August 30th - September 2nd

The fold of the German troops of covering in the east of Amiens is threatened by the repeated attacks of the Franco-British forces. The Australian and New Zealand troops which manage to cross the Somme capture Péronne and Saint-Quentin. Later, the catch of Quéant obliges the Germans to give up the Ligne Hindenburg, from where they launched their offensive of spring at the beginning of March.

3 September 10th

Continued closely by the Franco-British forces, the Germans complete their fold of Amiens and occupy again the line Hindenburg. The British cannot any more continue their attack because of a lack of reserves. The battle of Amiens thus takes fine.

The British and the French underwent some 42.000 losses, but the Germans lost more than 100.000 soldiers, including 30.000 prisoners. The general Ludendorff Head of State German associated general major, acquires the conviction that the Germany cannot gain the Guerre any more.

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