World War I: Final German Attacks at the Marne

July 15-August 6, 1918 - The Second Battle of the Marne is fought on the Western Front. Seeking to shatter the Allied lines before the Americans arrived in overwhelming strength, German forces led by Gen. Erich Ludendorff launched a series of Spring Offensives in 1918. While these attacks gained ground they failed to win the war. Intending to launch another major offensive in Flanders, Ludendorff first began a diversionary attack along the Marne. While the attack initially had success, it was quickly contained by the Allies. Counterattacking, Allied troops drove the Germans back and recaptured land lost during the earlier Spring Offensives. Having sustained staggering losses at the Marne, Ludendorff cancelled his Flanders offensive. Two days after the battle ended, the Allies attacked at Amiens, beginning a series of offensives that would bring World War I to a close that November.