GW19: The German Spring Offenses of 1918

This episode examines Germany's final bid for victory in 1918: the massive Spring Offensives that aimed to break the Allied line before American manpower could tip the balance. Sean and James trace the dramatic sequence of operations—from the initial breakthrough of Operation Michael to the far-reaching assaults on the Lys, the Aisne, and finally the Marne—showing how early German successes dissolved into exhaustion, logistical collapse, and strategic overreach. The discussion highlights the emergence of unified Allied command under Ferdinand Foch, the accelerating impact of American forces, and the shifting operational dynamics that transformed the Western Front back into a war of movement. By the end of the episode, listeners will understand why Germany's last gamble failed and how these offensives set the stage for the decisive Allied Hundred Days.

You can listen to GW19: The German Spring Offenses of 1918 online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

GW19: The German Spring Offenses of 1918 is an episode from Key Battles of American History by Support.

This episode is 46:48 long.

This episode was published on Apr 15, 2026.

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