Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. The First Battle of Villers-Bretonneux, (March 30 April 5, 1918), was part of the wider First Battle of the Somme (1918). The capture of Villers-Bretonneux, being close to the strategic centre of Amiens, would have meant that the Germans could have used artillery there to shell the city.With the general position for the Germans looking weak, the German commander, Erich von Ludendorff, decided to go on the offensive. On 21 March 1918, "Operation Michael" was launched, and the attack was aimed at the weakest part of the British lines, along the Somme River.