For 3 years from the end of 1914 to early 1918, the western front never moved more than a mile or so. In 1918 considerable movement occurred as first the Germans and then the Allies advanced. Why did these changes happen so quickly?”

... Tom Ilett 5B "For 3 years from the end of 1914 to early 1918, the western front never moved more than a mile or so. In 1918 considerable movement occurred as first the Germans and then the Allies advanced. Why did these changes happen so quickly?" There were a number of reasons, which prompted the sudden return to a war of movement and the breakdown of the stalemate that had existed for so long between the two opposing armies on the western front. The tactics used by each army had been developed from the battles which had taken place earlier in the war, such as The Somme and the many campaigns at Ypres, generals had learned from mistakes made previously and new methods were used, partially enabling the return of the war of movement. The imminent arrival of American troops was also a key factor for both sides; Germany felt she

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