Watch History Documentaries Germany's Last Gamble

 In March 1918, Germany launched a massive offensive on the Western Front - her last chance to win the war. The Russian Revolution had taken Russia out of the war, freeing up half a million German soldiers, Germany had to act before the Americans poured into Europe. The offensive was masterminded by the brilliant but unstable General Erich Ludendorff. Within the first few days the British 5th army was in retreat and Paris was being shelled. Some Allies feared defeat.


But Germany faced a challenge on all fronts: her allies Ottoman Turkey and Austria-Hungary were both on the point of collapse and at home German civilians were losing their appetite for war. Dangerous pacifist ideas were carried back by troops returning from Russia. Then Ludendorff's great offensive ran out of steam. He had set no achievable objectives, nor were his armies adequately supplied. Starved and exhausted German soldiers slowed in their advance to loot and drink. Some of Ludendorff's colleagues feared for his sanity. Then his worst nightmare unfolded: American forces started arriving at the rate of 250,000 per month. The tables had turned against Germany.
 
 

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