Hampshire soldier’s story of leadership and bravery during the German Spring Offensive

One hundred years ago in March 1918 Acting Captain Alfred Toye, a second lieutenant with 2nd Battalion The Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment), found himself in the eye of the storm when the German Spring Offensive began. This attack saw mobile warfare return to the Western Front after years of stalemate. Initially, it looked like the Germans might succeed, but brave resistance from soldiers like Toye - who won the Victoria Cross for his gallantry - gradually blunted their assault.

On 21 March 1918, the Germans launched Operation Michael. The intense ‘hurricane’ bombardments from the Germans undermined any chance of concerted British resistance by targeting artillery and machine-gun positions, headquarters, telephone exchanges, railways and communication centres. Within two days the Germans had advanced up to 12 miles in some sectors.

Panic spread along sections of the Allied front and although many units bravely resisted, it appeared the Germans might break through, reach the vital railway junctions at Amiens, split the Allies and win a stunning victory.

In the First Battle of Bapaume (24-25 March), the 2nd Battalion held positions on the west bank of the Somme. The Germans attacked this area and soon took the Somme crossings. Captain Toye and part of his company found themselves surrounded, but they managed to fight their way out of the village. Toye rallied the soldiers and launched a counter-attack.

Late on 25 March they withdrew to the trenches south of Deniecourt but continued German attacks saw the retirement continue to Lihons, where they took up makeshift positions. The 2nd Battalion helped repel another attack at Lihons in the Battle of Rosieres (26-27 March). At one stage the enemy got within 300 yards of the Middlesex’s positions, but they held firm.

While under attack from German aircraft, the 2nd Battalion was compelled to retreat back to Caix where a new line was taken up. The Germans soon infiltrated the village. Toye, with his battalion headquarters, led them against the enemy in the streets long enough to allow another withdrawal.

On 31 March the remnants of the battalion, now commanded by Toye, were sent to re-inforce the 2nd Devonshires. This they did, in bitter hand-to-hand fighting, for the next two days. On 2 April they handed over their position to new French troops and the exhausted survivors of 2nd Battalion were withdrawn.

For his leadership and bravery during several days of intense fighting, Toye was awarded the Victoria Cross. His citation in the London Gazette on 7 May 1918 stated: ‘His valor and skilful leading throughout this prolonged period of intense operations was most conspicuous.’

Although the Germans advanced as much as 64km (40 miles), by 5 April their advance had lost momentum and they were held east of Amiens. German morale began to crumble. They were too exhausted to sustain the offensive and lacked the transport to convert local tactical triumphs into strategic victory.

On 18 July, the French launched a counter-attack on the Marne, forcing the Germans back. The initiative passed back to the Allies, setting the stage for the Allied counter-offensives of the summer.