Aisne

During the 2nd Battle of the Aisne in May 1917, General Charles Mangin, managed to capture a 4km stretch of the Chemin des Dames Ridge from the German Army. A year later, General Erich von Ludendorff, decided to try and win this territory back. On 27th May 1918, a 4,000 gun preliminary bombardment caused heavy casualties in Allied front-line trenches. A gas attack was followed by an infantry advance and by the evening the German Army had gained 15km and were at the River Vesle. The offensive continued and by 30th May, the Germans had captured 50,000 soldiers and 800 guns and were only 90km from Paris. Allied counter-attacks halted the advance by 6th June at the Marne. The French Army suffered 98,000 casualties, and the British Army lost 29,000.