Battle of Soissons (1918)

Battle of Soissons
Part of the Western Front of World War I
Date 18–22 July 1918 Location North-eastern France 49°22′54″N 03°19′25″E / 49.38167°N 3.32361°E / 49.38167; 3.32361Coordinates: 49°22′54″N 03°19′25″E / 49.38167°N 3.32361°E / 49.38167; 3.32361 Result Allied victory
Belligerents
German Empire	France  United States
Commanders and leaders
Erich Ludendorff	Ferdinand Foch
Strength
At least 234,000 men, 210 planes	At least 345,000 men, c. 478 tanks and unknown number of planes
Casualties and losses
168,000 casualties of whom 56,700 died	107,000 casualties of whom 32,458 died

The Battle of Soissons (also known as the Battle of the Soissonnais and of the Ourcq (French: Bataille du Soissonnais et de L'Ourcq)* was a World War I battle, waged from 18–22 July 1918, between the French (with American assistance) and German armies.

*Le Soissonnais is the area surrounding the city of Soissons. The Ourcq is a river about 30 miles (48 km) to the south.

Ferdinand Foch, the Allied Supreme Commander, launched the offensive on 18 July; 24 French divisions and 2 U.S. divisions under French command, supported by approximately 478 tanks, sought to eliminate the salient that was aimed at Paris.

The Allies suffered 107,000 casualties (95,000 French and 12,000 American), while the Germans suffered 168,000 casualties.

The battle ended with the French recapturing most of the ground lost to the German Spring Offensive in May 1918.

Adolf Hitler, the future Führer of Nazi Germany, earned and was awarded the Iron Cross First Class at Soissons on August 4th 1918.

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