In early 1918, following the collapse of Russia, the Germans launched the Spring Offensive on the Western Front. As the Allies were pushed back in the direction of Paris, the units of the Australian 4th Division were rushed south from Belgium where they had spent the winter. Moving in to a hasty defensive line north-west of the Ancre River, between Buire and Dernancourt, the battalion helped to blunt the German advance during a defensive battle at Dernancourt on 5 April 1918. The battalion remained in the line until relieved on the evening of 6/7 April; the action cost the battalion 154 casualties, of which 30 were killed. Later that month, as the German offensive approached the vital railhead at Amiens, the battalion took part in an Allied counter-attack at Villers-Bretonneux, commencing late in the evening of 24 April 1918. Two battalions of the 13th Brigade, the 51st and 52nd, were assigned to a thrust south of the town, driving eastwards towards Monument Wood, from a start line between Cachy and Aquenne Wood. By the morning of 25 April, they were short of the objective around Monument Wood, but were tied in to the north of British troops. Early following day, the battalion was relieved by French Zouaves who continued the attack while the Australians moved back to Blangy–Tronville. The attack cost the battalion between 237 and 245 casualties.