Michael

The "Michael" plan was a German strategic offensive during World War I, launched on March 21, 1918. It was part of a larger German strategy to achieve victory on the Western Front before significant American reinforcements arrived. The offensive aimed to break through Allied lines, particularly targeting the British sector between Arras and La Fère, with the goal of driving British forces towards the English Channel.12

This offensive, also known as the Second Battle of the Somme, utilized new tactics including intense artillery bombardments, poison gas, and deep infantry infiltration to bypass strongpoints. While the initial German advance was rapid and achieved the largest territorial gains on the Western Front since 1914, the Allied lines ultimately held, preventing a decisive breakthrough. The plan, though tactically successful in gaining ground, ultimately exhausted Germany's resources without achieving its strategic objectives.12