The First Battle of Villers-Bretonneux and the Battle of Moreuil Wood
On March 30 the Germans none the less tried again, launching an assault south of the new Somme salient towards Amiens resulting in two significant battles, one of which is very well recalled today. The Germans gained some ground but it was slight, and German troops lost discipline when they hit Allied supply depots.
The resumed German offensive opened up near the town of Le Hamel but was turned back, although the Germans took ground near the Hangard Wood. This resulted in a five day pause in the German effort in this location until they resumed their attack towards the town of Villers-Bretonneux. The French fell back upon the German resumed attack but British and Australian troops generally held well but were ultimately forced to retire due to a two stage retreat by the 14th (Light) Division. which ultimately fell back some 3500 yards to a new position. Australian troops restored the line and counterattacked, pushing the Germans back out of the town. This was followed up by flanking advances by British cavalry and Australian infantry which consolidated the line for the time being.
This phase of the German offensive also saw the remarkable Canadian cavalry charge in the Battle of Moreuil Wood in which the Canadian Cavalry Brigade conducted a mounted assault near the village of Moreuil, taking the wood against the prediction of failure of a nearby French unit, receiving assistance from the RFC in the assault. The Germans retook the wood the following day, March 31, but the Canadians then took it back. The Germans ultimately retook the wood, showing the intense nature of the fighting, but the overall offensive was called off shortly after that.
The resumed German offensive opened up near the town of Le Hamel but was turned back, although the Germans took ground near the Hangard Wood. This resulted in a five day pause in the German effort in this location until they resumed their attack towards the town of Villers-Bretonneux. The French fell back upon the German resumed attack but British and Australian troops generally held well but were ultimately forced to retire due to a two stage retreat by the 14th (Light) Division. which ultimately fell back some 3500 yards to a new position. Australian troops restored the line and counterattacked, pushing the Germans back out of the town. This was followed up by flanking advances by British cavalry and Australian infantry which consolidated the line for the time being.
This phase of the German offensive also saw the remarkable Canadian cavalry charge in the Battle of Moreuil Wood in which the Canadian Cavalry Brigade conducted a mounted assault near the village of Moreuil, taking the wood against the prediction of failure of a nearby French unit, receiving assistance from the RFC in the assault. The Germans retook the wood the following day, March 31, but the Canadians then took it back. The Germans ultimately retook the wood, showing the intense nature of the fighting, but the overall offensive was called off shortly after that.
The charge at Moreuil Wood.
Operation Michael had gained a lot of ground, but it had ground to a
halt. By April 5 the Germans were exhausted and an effort to resume the
offensive against the British failed. Moreover, German casualties had been massive, and many of those casualties came from their very best units.
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