Battle of Soissons (1918)

The Battle of Soissons (also known as the Battle of Soissonnais and of the Ourcq (Bataille du Soissonnais et de L'Ourcq)) was a World War I battle, waged during 18 July to 22 July 1918, between the French (with American assistance) and the German armies.

Ferdinand Foch, the Allied Supreme Commander, planned a major counter-offensive on 18 July; 24 French divisions, including several British Divisions, and the Buffalo Soldiers 92nd Infantry Division (United States) then under French command, and reinforced by other Allied troops including eight large U.S. divisions under U.S. command, and 350 tanks, sought to eliminate the salient that was aimed at Paris.

The Allies suffered 125,000 casualties (95,000 French, 13,000 British and 12,000 American), while the Germans suffered 168,000 casualties.

The battle ended with the French recapturing most of the ground lost to the German Spring Offensive in May 1918.