First Battle of Villers-Bretonneux

The First Battle of Villers-Bretonneux (30 March – 5 April 1918), was part of the wider First Battle of the Somme (1918). The capture of Villers-Bretonneux, being close to the strategic centre of Amiens, would have meant that the Germans could have used artillery there to shell the city.

Background
With the general position for the Germans looking weak, the German commander, Erich von Ludendorff, decided to go on the offensive. On 21 March 1918, "Operation Michael" was launched, and the attack was aimed at the weakest part of the British lines, along the Somme River.

By 5 April, the Germans had gained 60 km of British held territory. Two other operations were launched, one near Armentieres, one near Reims. All three operations were halted by the British.

Battle
In late March, 1918, The German army advanced towards Amiens, pushing the British line back towards the town of Villers-Bretonneux. Part of the German attack fell on the centre and left of the French First Army under Debeny. The French line fell back, but a counterattack regained much of the ground.

From north to south the line was held by British and Australian troops, specifically the 14th Division, 35th Australian Battalion and 18th Division. However, by 4 April the 14th Division fell back under attack from the German 228th Division. The Australians held off the 9th Bavarian Reserve Division and the British 18th Division held off the German Guards Ersatz Division and 19th Divisions. The allied forces were forced to pull back by the retreat of the British 14th Division. An attack that afternoon pushed the 18th Division even further back.

The Germans came within 440 yd of Villers-Bretonneux; a counter-attack by the 36th Australian Battalion, with c. 1000 men, pushed the Germans back and forced two German divisions to retreat from Villers-Bretonneux.

The attack on Villers-Bretonneux was the last significant German attack of the entire First Battle of the Somme. After the general failure of the German forces to get their objectives, Ludendorff brought the entire offensive to a halt.