Taken from our feature on General Erich Ludendorff and his final desperate bid for victory on the Western Front in 1918, this map shows the troop movements in each of the five successive offensives which made up the Ludendorff, or Spring Offensive. As the power and effectiveness of each offensive decreased, and the German forces became exhausted, the Allied counter-offensive that would end the war began.
1. The First or Somme O ffensive (Operation Michael), 21 March-5 April.
2. The Second or Lys O ffensive (Operation Georgette), 9-29 April.
3. The Third or Aisne Offensive (Operation Blücher-Yorck), 27 May-6 June.
4. The Fourth or Noyon-Montdidier O ffensive (Operation Gneisenau), 9-13 June.
5. The Fi fth or Champagne-Marne O ffensive (Operation Friedensturm), 15-19 July.