On what date did the German offensive of which the First Battle of Villers-Bretonneux was a part begin?
Spring Offensive The 1918 Spring Offensive or Kaiserschlacht ("Kaiser's Battle"), also known as the Ludendorff Offensive, was a series of German attacks along the Western Front during the First World War, beginning on 21 March 1918, which marked the deepest advances by either side since 1914. The Germans had realised that their only remaining chance of victory was to defeat the Allies before the overwhelming human and matériel resources of the United States could be fully deployed. They also had the temporary advantage in numbers afforded by the nearly 50 divisions freed by the Russian surrender (the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk).
Operation Braunschweig Operation "Braunschweig" (Eng: "Brunswick"), named after the German city, was the German summer offensive that began on 28 June 1942. The operation was initially named "Fall Blau" (Case Blue), which is the common name used for the whole offensive. The name was changed from "Blau" to "Braunschweig" on 30 June. The plans following the original Case Blue (originally named "Blue I" and "Blue II") were renamed to Operation Clausewitz and Operation Dampfhammer. "Clausewitz" detailed the beginning of the operations of Army Group A in July 1942, "Dampfhammer" the follow-up operations in July 1942.