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The 'Red Baron' was a formidable commander of German aircraft.

World War One: 1914-18 - Battles Of 1917 And 1918 On The Western Front

Trace the final years of fighting on the Western Front, from Messines and Passchendaele to the Allied offensives that finally broke German resistance.

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Fascinating Fact:

The Battle of Messines in June 1917 began with the explosion of huge mines under German lines. This destroyed many enemy positions and showed careful planning could bring success.

In GCSE History, the 1917 and 1918 battles on the Western Front reveal how new tactics, mining, artillery plans and fresh American troops combined to turn a long stalemate into Allied victory.

Key Terms

Creeping barrage: An artillery tactic where shells land in a moving line just ahead of advancing infantry, aiming to protect them and cut enemy barbed wire.
Spring Offensive: A major series of German attacks in 1918, launched before American forces were fully ready, trying to defeat the Allies before they grew stronger.
Hundred Days Offensive: The final Allied push from August 1918, using coordinated attacks to drive German forces back and force the Armistice in November.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What was the significance of the Battle of Messines in 1917?

The Battle of Messines showed that careful preparation, including underground mines and timed artillery, could smash strong German positions and give the Allies a clear local success.

Why did the battles of 1917 and 1918 change the course of World War One?

These battles mattered because German attacks in 1918 failed to win the war, while later Allied offensives, supported by American troops, pushed Germany steadily back towards surrender.

How had tactics on the Western Front developed by 1918?

By 1918 commanders used better artillery plans, small-unit tactics, tanks and aircraft, moving away from simple mass charges and making attacks more flexible and coordinated.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .

At which 1917 battle were tanks used effectively in a large-scale attack?

The Third Battle of Ypres

Cambrai

The Battle of the River Aisne

Reims

This was not the first time that tanks had been used in a Great War battle. Yet it was their first use in a systematic way, and in large numbers (450 in fact)

2 .

Which senior French officer succeeded Nivelle as commander-in-chief of French forces in May 1917?

Mangin

Foch

Petain

Du Boulay

The French government was quick to replace generals whose troops mutinied

3 .

After March 1917 the "Red Baron", von Richthofen, made his mark as commander of a formation of German aircraft. What was the nickname of this outfit?

"The Flying Circus"

"The Circus Squadron

"The Red Circus"

"The Red Flight"

Air power was beginning to make its mark in the fighting. Both sides used aeroplanes for reconnaissance, and for bombing missions. Dogfights were frequent events over the trenches

4 .

The Third Battle of Ypres was fought between the 31st of July 1917 and the 6th of November 1917. By what name is this battle also known?

Mons

Messines

Passchendaele

St. Quentin

Several battles were fought around the key centre of Ypres, which blocked the Germans' path to the vital Channel ports

5 .

Which allied officer was made head of a unified allied command shortly before the end of the war?

Pershing

Haig

Foch

Smuts

A unified allied command seemed to make sense, as the Germans embarked on a last desperate attack

6 .

Which war poet wrote "the General" at this time - a cruel satire on the gulf between staff officers working in some comfort behind the lines, and the ordinary soldiers whose lives were put at risk every day?

Wilfred Owen

John Sorley

Rupert Brooke

Siegfried Sassoon

The war poets were highly critical of the conduct of the conflict. Several of them were wounded in action and it was not unusual for them to return from convalescent treatment in Britain to be among their comrades in the trenches

7 .

In April 1917 the Allies captured Vimy Ridge, overlooking much of Northern France's industrial belt. Which allied nation was responsible for this success?

Australia

South Africa

The USA

Canada

At the outset of the war all of the British dominions joined the war automatically. The USA joined a short while before this success and was not yet significantly involved in the war in Europe

8 .

After continued bitter fighting some French units had to be taken out of the line and disciplined (in some cases soldiers were executed). What offence had they committed?

Desertion

Joining the German side

Refusing to obey orders

Killing their officers

No army was immune from disorder of this kind - especially after years of savage fighting and no end to the war in sight. However, all the belligerent states dealt harshly with such disobedience, and many death sentences were carried out

9 .

What name was given to the final German offensive of the Great War, from the 15th of July 1918 to the 5th of August 1918?

The Second Battle of the Marne

The Battle of Arras

The Battle of Amiens

The Battle of Neuve Chapelle

The Germans took a gamble and it failed. US forces helped to tip the balance, as did the effects of the Allied blockade of Germany. The resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare on Germany's part had less impact on Allied shipping than expected. However, it was the major factor in provoking America to join the war

10 .

What name was given to the major offensive launched by the Germans on the Western Front in March 1918, following Russia's withdrawal from the war earlier that month?

Operation Barbarossa

Operation Wilhelm

Operation Michael

Operation Friedrich

The Germans attempted a repetition of their initial attack in 1914 - in other words, an effort to return to moving warfare and the abandonment of the trench system. They were able to vastly reinforce their armies in the west as they had at last concluded a ceasefire and treaty with Lenin and Trotsky in the Soviet Union. This meant that they could bring large numbers of troops across to the Western Front from the East

Author: Edward Towne