History · January 28, 2025 0

Allied Counteroffensive, 18 July 1918 and the West Yorkshire Regiment

Source: https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205246715

This post is inspired by my friend Dave’s post about his Uncle Harry who died fighting in the Allied counteroffensive during the summer of 1918. His Uncle Harry served with the West Yorkshire Regiment (62nd Division). I recommend you read Dave’s anecdote for a personal insight. It was a nice segue for me to continue with my renewed passion for history, which you’re now starting to see feed into the blog.


By the summer of 1918, the tide of World War I teetered precariously on the edge of uncertainty. For months, the German Spring Offensive had battered Allied lines, threatening to break through and seize Paris. The situation had grown dire as German forces clawed their way deep into French territory, forming a dangerous salient around the Marne River. But on July 18, 1918, the Allies struck back with a counteroffensive that would shift the course of the war—an audacious gamble that began west of Bligny Ridge and reverberated across the Western Front.

At the heart of this counteroffensive was the British 62nd (2nd West Riding) Division, which included the storied West Yorkshire Regiment. This regiment, made up of battalions forged in the industrial heartland of Yorkshire, was no stranger to the horrors of war. By July 1918, they had already endured years of brutal fighting, but their resolve remained unbroken. The regiment was instrumental in the Allied effort to reclaim Bligny Ridge and surrounding areas, playing a vital role in containing German forces and enabling the broader advance.

The action was part of the larger Second Battle of the Marne, an epic struggle that marked the last major German offensive and the beginning of a relentless Allied push. This counteroffensive, planned meticulously by French General Ferdinand Foch, aimed to exploit the overstretched German forces who had advanced too far, too fast. The Allies had spent weeks reinforcing their positions with fresh troops, including American divisions eager to prove themselves on the battlefield.

On the morning of July 18, the assault began. French, British, and American forces surged forward in a coordinated attack west of Bligny Ridge, near Soissons. The element of surprise was their greatest weapon. Instead of a preparatory artillery barrage—a hallmark of earlier battles—the Allies advanced under the cover of a creeping barrage, moving swiftly to catch the Germans off guard. French tanks rumbled across the fields, their clanking steel hulls cutting through barbed wire, while infantry units pressed forward behind them.

The West Yorkshire Regiment, particularly the 8th Battalion, distinguished itself during these operations. Later in the month, on July 29, the 8th Battalion spearheaded the capture of Montaigne de Bligny, a strategic hill near the ridge. The hill, long held by German forces, provided a commanding view of the Marne valley. Seizing it was no small feat. Under heavy fire, the battalion advanced with unwavering determination, overcoming machine-gun nests and entrenched positions. Their success secured this vital high ground, contributing significantly to the Allied counteroffensive’s momentum.

Bligny Ridge, though not the epicentre of the assault, remained a crucial strategic feature. The German positions near the ridge provided a vantage point over the Marne valley, and Allied forces in this sector, including the West Yorkshire Regiment, played a vital role in containing any German attempts to counter the counteroffensive. The ridge, scarred by earlier battles, bore witness to renewed fighting as the Allies pushed to keep the Germans pinned down.

By the end of the first day, the Allies had achieved a stunning breakthrough. The Germans, unprepared for the ferocity and speed of the attack, began to falter. Over the next few days, the momentum of the counteroffensive grew. French and American forces recaptured Soissons, cutting off key German supply lines and forcing a retreat. Bligny Ridge, though no longer a primary focus, stood as a symbol of the Allied resurgence, its hard-fought ground secured by the sacrifices of earlier battles.

For the West Yorkshire Regiment, the events of July 1918 were a testament to their bravery and discipline. Their actions, particularly in securing Montaigne de Bligny, exemplified the determination of the Allied forces during this critical phase of the war. The regiment’s contributions were pivotal in the eventual success of the counteroffensive and the subsequent turning of the tide in World War I.

The success of the July 18 counteroffensive marked a turning point in the war. It shattered the myth of German invincibility and proved that the Allies could coordinate large-scale attacks across multiple fronts. The Second Battle of the Marne, of which this action was a part, signalled the beginning of the Hundred Days Offensive, a relentless Allied advance that would drive the Germans back and ultimately lead to the Armistice in November 1918.


Discover more from soulcruzer

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x