Western Front: 1918: The Year of Decision
Allied Final Offensive

1. Foch's Plan
2. Operations, September 26-October 31.
   a. Southern Pincer (Meuse-Argonne)
   b.Western Pincer (Cambrai-St.-Quentin)
   c. Flanders offensive
   d. Operations of the French Center
3. German Situation
4. Allied Operations, November 1-11
   a. Allied Attacks from the South
   b. Allied Attacks from the West
5. The Armistice
6. Occupation of Germany

ALLIED FINAL OFFENSIVE (Sept. 26-Nov. 11, 1918).

The obstructive salients having been reduced, Foch launched his general offensive on September 26. His objective was to capture the key rail junctions of Aulnoye and Mezieres, thus preventing an orderly withdrawal by the Germans and leaving them vulnerable to destruction. To execute the plan, a Franco-British pincer was to advance rapidly to Aulnoye from the west, and a Franco-American pincer to Mezieres from the south. The Germans prevented the pincers from closing and withdrew in fair order, though suffering heavy losses. Recognizing the hopelessness of their cause against the massive and relentless Allied offensive, the Germans asked for an armistice. It was granted, effective November 11.