Why did German forces avoid firing registration rounds before their 1918 attacks?

German forces avoided firing registration rounds before their 1918 attacks primarily to maintain the element of surprise. By omitting these traditional sighting shots, the German military prevented the enemy from anticipating the timing and location of the impending offensive.12

Instead of using registration rounds, German artillery units relied on precise mathematical calculations and detailed weather reports to lay their guns. This technique was a core component of the innovative fire support methods championed by artillery officer Georg Bruchmüller. By coordinating these silent preparations with short, intense barrages of gas and high explosives, the German army could stun and disrupt Allied defenses effectively, allowing their specialized Sturmtruppe (storming parties) to advance with greater success.21