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The German offensive of 21st March, 1918

With an end to the fighting on the Eastern Front after the Russian Revolution, Germany was able to bring its troops from there to France and launch a series of offensives in the Spring of 1918, designed to bring the war to a swift conclusion. Four times between March and July they attacked in strength and on each occasion they broke through the British and French lines and made spectacular gains but in each case they over extended themselves and without adequate supplies keeping up with their rapid advances, they could go no further. The first of these attacks, Operation Michael, was made on 21st March by 63 specially trained divisions, attacking along a 60 mile front held by 26 British divisions, many of them in a weakened state

At 4.40am the German artillery opened up with the most ferocious and concentrated bombardment of the war, the likes of which the British had never experienced before. The Forward Zone, consisting mainly of individual posts was blown away. Very few of the men there made it back. Many were killed and many more were taken prisoner. The Battle Zone was also battered as were the British guns, firing from positions just to the rear. Brigade and Divisional HQs were targeted as well and then, from out of the thick mist came the German storm troopers. Moving fast, they skirted round the few remaining strongholds and penetrated deep into the British lines, including those of the Battle Zone, causing the utmost confusion. There were many cases of heroic stands being made but the relentless pressure forced the British back everywhere and there then began a general retreat that went on for two weeks and which ceded to the Germans a huge amount of territory, including all of that that had been won at such great cost during the Battle of the Somme in 1916.

On 21st March, 1918, the sector of the line held by 36th Division lay astride the Somme valley just to the south of St Quentin. The three battalions holding the front line posts were the 12th Royal Irish Rifles of 108 Brigade, the 15th Royal Irish Rifles, 107 Brigade and the 2nd Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 109 Brigade. At Le Pontchu 12th Royal Irish Rifles held on until 3.15pm while 15th Royal Irish Rifles defended the redoubt on the railway south of Grugies until 6pm. 2nd Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers also held out in a redoubt until 6pm. Retention of the Battle Zone was dependent on the flanking troops on the higher ground holding their line but this did not happen. At noon the right of the division was attacked and the right hand company of 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers of 108 Brigade, although surrounded, managed to hold out until 4.30pm. 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers, 108 Brigade and 9th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 109 Brigade were brought up to try to secure this right flank. Attacks elsewhere in the 36th Division Battle Zone failed to penetrate except at Contescourt where 1st Royal Irish Rifles of 107 Brigade and a company of 2nd Royal Irish Rifles, both of 107 Brigade, were overwhelmed. There was very heavy fighting all afternoon during which Contescourt was taken by the enemy and a counter attack at 6.30pm by 2nd Royal Irish Rifles, in which they suffered heavy losses, failed to retake it. That evening, what was left of 36th Division was withdrawn to positions behind the Somme. Among their many casualties was John Baker of 12th Royal Irish Rifles.