In 1918, the Germans launched the Spring Offensive. Aware that American
troops would soon be arriving in Europe, the Germans saw this as their
last chance to win the war. If they could overcome the Allied armies and
reach Paris, victory might be possible. The German offensive was
initially a great success. Striking at the Allied line's strongest
point, the Chemin des Dames, they burst their way through and made quick
progress towards Marne. However, the advance eventually stalled. With
supply shortages and lack of reserves, this was to be the 'last ebb' of
the German war effort.
Rogerson, a young officer in the West Yorkshire Regiment, describes the
experiences of his battalion from the Aisne through to the Marne.
Fighting under French command, the West Yorkshires were inadequately
supported by artillery and practically without help from the air. The 4
tired divisions were forced to fight and run 27 miles across wooded
hills and 3 rivers on emergency rations.
The author vividly conveys the bravery and extraordinary resilience of
the West Yorkshires, who were able to face up to the terrible ordeal of
such a battle without loss of morale. Remarkably for a book of this
period, an account by Major-General A. D. von Unruh, which gives the
German perspective of the offensive, has been included.
