GERMAN OFFENSIVE, 1918. This great tain a military decision on the western front in France and Flan ders before the intervention of American man-power could turn the scales, comprised four main acts, opening respectively on March 21 (see ST. QUENTIN, BATTLE OF, 1918) ; April 9 (see LYs, BATTLES OF THE, 1918) ; May 27 (see CHEMIN-DES-DAMES. BATTLE OF THE, 1918), and July 15 (see MARNE, SECOND BATTLE OF THE). Important attacks were also attempted, but with less success, on April 24 in front of Amiens, and on June 9 in the direction of Compiegne, the latter to break down the "buttress" between the salients made by the St. Quentin and Chemin-des Dames offensives. These and the general course of the whole offensive are described under WORLD WAR.