Operation Alberich-INDIAN EXPRESS-28-01-2020

What is Operation Alberich?

• Operation Alberich was the code name of a German military operation in France during the First World War. Alberich was a planned strategic withdrawal to new positions on the shorter and more easily defended Hindenburg Line (German: Siegfriedstellung), which took place between 9 February and 20 March 1917.

• The retirement eliminated the two salients which had been formed during the Battle of the Somme in 1916, between Arras and Saint-Quentin and from Saint-Quentin to Noyon. The retirement took place after months of preparation but General Erich Ludendorff hesitated to order the withdrawal until the last moment.

Why in News?

• The retirement to the chord of the Bapaume and Noyon salients shortened the Western Front, providing 13–14 extra divisions for the German reserve, which was being assembled to defend the Aisne front against the Franco-British Nivelle Offensive, preparations for which were barely concealed.

• The Oscar-nominated World War I drama ‘1917’ released in India on January 17. The Sam Mendes directorial features Colin Firth and Benedict Cumberbatch.

• The film tells the story of two British soldiers during the war, given the mission of going through dangerous territory to deliver a message. The message is — calls off an attack doomed to fail.