Labour was transferred to work on the from La Fère to Rethel and labour battalions were sent to work on the forward positions on the Aisne front on 23 February. The German strategic reserve rose to by the end of March and the Aisne front was reinforced with the 1st Army, released by Operation Alberich and other divisions, which raised the number to line and reserve on the Aisne by early April. The French (GAN) attacked the Hindenburg Line at St Quentin on 13 April with no success and the "decisive" offensive, by the French (GAR) began on 16 April, between Vailly and Rheims. The French breakthrough attempt was defeated but forced the Germans to abandon the area between Braye, Condé and Laffaux and withdraw to the Hindenburg Line from Laffaux Mill, along the Chemin des Dames to Courtecon. The German armies in France were still short of reserves, despite the retirements to the Hindenburg Line and divisions depleted by during the Nivelle Offensive and then replaced by those in reserve, had to change places with the counter-attack divisions, rather than be withdrawn altogether.