The German offensive in Flanders in April 1918 came close to catastrophe
for the British Armies, but ultimately ended in strategic defeat for the
Kaiser's men. Following closely on the heels of the devastating
'Operation Michael' attack in March on the Somme and around Arras, named
as 'Operation Georgette', the offensive was aimed at strangling the
vital railways and roads that supplied the British at Ypres.
Having assembled an overwhelming numerical advantage, the Germans
attacked in thick fog on 9 April 1918. They faced tired British
formations that had just been relieved from the earlier battle and which
were receiving replacements, mainly in the form of 18 year-old
conscripts. By the day's end, the Germans had succeeded in gaining a
crossing of the River Lys and were well on their way to the vital
railway junctions at Hazebrouck. Several British divisions were deployed
to stop the advance, only to be effectively destroyed in the attempt
over the next few days. Gradually, fresher British, Australian and
French reserves arrived and held their ground. With disappointing
results, mounting casualties and a diminishing return for their efforts,
the Germans abandoned the offensive and turned their attention further
south.
What the British call The Battle of the Lys 1918 is a fascinating yet
curiously neglected period of military history. Chris Baker examines
this major battle from the strategic down to the platoon level,
highlighting the key events, characters and acts of enormous bravery on
both sides, both in a historical narrative and in a series of tours of
the area.
This volume, one of two on the battle, concentrates on the southern half
of the battlefield.
