Changes

The exit of Russia allowed Germany to shift a majority of their troops from the [[Eastern Front (World War I)|eastern front]] to the [[Western Front (World War I)|western front]]. This gave them a final chance to try and break the Allies before the Americans arrived.  Known as [[Operation Michael]], the German offensive began in March of 1918.

The exit of Russia allowed Germany to shift a majority of their troops from the [[Eastern Front (World War I)|eastern front]] to the [[Western Front (World War I)|western front]]. This gave them a final chance to try and break the Allies before the Americans arrived.  Known as [[Operation Michael]], the German offensive began in March of 1918.

The Germans launched five major campaigns in a four month period in 1918 on the [[Western Front]].  The Germans had technology and lots of energy.  They had elite storm-troopers with [[automatic rifle]]s, light [[machine gun]]s, [[flame-thrower]]s and [[artillery]] fire.  They used poisonous [[mustard gas]] lavishly.  They easily defeated the British Fifth Army.  The Germans were advancing and taking property.

The Germans launched five major campaigns in a four month period in 1918 on the [[Western Front]].  The Germans had technology and lots of energy.  They had elite storm-troopers with [[automatic rifle]]s, light [[machine gun]]s, [[flame-thrower]]s and [[artillery]] fire.  They used poisonous [[mustard gas]] lavishly.  They easily defeated the vastly outnumbered British Fifth Army.  The Germans were advancing and taking property.

But fresh American troops entered the scene.  In the [[Second Battle of the Marne]] in July 1918, the Allies started winning.  Nine American divisions fought in this battle about 75 miles northeast of [[Paris]].  The Germans started this battle on another one of their offensives, but the Americans valiantly turned the tables and enabled the Allies to win it.  Casualties were enormous for everyone, including the Americans.  Former President [[Teddy Roosevelt]]’s son Quentin was killed in this battle.

But a combination of fresh American troops arriving on the scene, and a failure in German supply lines was soon to halt the Micheaal offensive.  In the [[Second Battle of the Marne]] in July 1918, the Allies started winning.  Nine American divisions fought in this battle about 75 miles northeast of [[Paris]].  The Germans started this battle on another one of their offensives, but the Americans valiantly turned the tables and enabled the Allies to win it.  Casualties were enormous for everyone, including the Americans.  Former President [[Teddy Roosevelt]]’s son Quentin was killed in this battle.

American Capt. [[Jesse Woolridge]], 38th Inf., 3rd Division described the battle as follows:  “It’s [[God]]’s truth that one Company of American soldiers beat and routed a full regiment of picked shock troops of the German Army ... At ten o’clock ... the Germans were carrying back wounded and dead [from] the river bank and we in our exhaustion let them do it - they carried back all but six hundred which we counted later and fifty-two machine guns... We had started with 251 men and 5 lieutenants...I had left 51 men and 2 second lieutenants."

American Capt. [[Jesse Woolridge]], 38th Inf., 3rd Division described the battle as follows:  “It’s [[God]]’s truth that one Company of American soldiers beat and routed a full regiment of picked shock troops of the German Army ... At ten o’clock ... the Germans were carrying back wounded and dead [from] the river bank and we in our exhaustion let them do it - they carried back all but six hundred which we counted later and fifty-two machine guns... We had started with 251 men and 5 lieutenants...I had left 51 men and 2 second lieutenants."