The German Offensive of June 12 and 18, against the
Villers-Cotterets and Rheims Salients.
The two flanks of the “pocket” which the German Offensive of May 27 had made, i.e. the Aisne salient around the Woods of Laigue, Compiègne, and Villers-Cotterets; and the Rheims salient backed by the Rheims Mountain, formed both an obstacle and a menace to the Germans, who accordingly decided to take them at all cost.
The Aisne salient was attacked first. From June 9 to 11, Von Hutier’s Army tried to break through from the north, but failed after endeavouring in vain to take Compiègne.
On June 12, an attack was made against the other side of the Aisne salient. After an exceedingly intense artillery preparation, which began at 2.30 a.m. and levelled the French lines, the enemy attacked in great force to the north and north-east of the Villers-Cotterets Wood along the Retz Stream.
