troops blinded by tear gas during the battle, 10 April, 1918.]] The Battle of the Lys (also known as the Lys Offensive, the Battle of Estaires and the Batalha de La Lys in Portugal) was part of the 1918 German offensive in Flanders during the World War I (also know as the Spring Offensive), originally planned by General Ludendorff as Operation George but scaled back to become Operation Georgette, with the objective of capturing Ypres. Starting on April 9, 1918, the battle lasted until April 29.The attack was similar in planning, execution and effects, although with smaller dimensions, to the earlier Michael operation, also from the Spring Offensive The front line was defended by two Portuguese divisions, with lack of men and without near half of its officers, had very low morale and were set to be replaced the day of the German attack. The German attack was able to smash through those Portuguese divisions and emergency British troops, the 1st battalion, King Edward"s Horse and the 11th Cyclist Battalion. Although they captured some land, German forces were ultimately brought to a halt by Australian, French and British divisions. By April 29 Ludendorff ceased Georgette operations.