The last days of the Great War
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Overview of last days of Great War
Here is an overview of the last days of the Great War.
On October 3 Germany's emperor, Kaiser Wilhelm II, appoints as chancellor Prince Max of Baden who has long advocated a negotiated peace with Britain, France and the United States.
The very next day the new chancellor telegraphs the US president, Woodrow Wilson, to call for talks.
The Allies demand Germany's unconditional surrender and the Kaiser's abdication.
Pressure builds on Berlin. German forces, their spring offensive long exhausted, are beating a disorderly retreat.
On October 3 Germany's emperor, Kaiser Wilhelm II, appoints as chancellor Prince Max of Baden who has long advocated a negotiated peace with Britain, France and the United States.
The very next day the new chancellor telegraphs the US president, Woodrow Wilson, to call for talks.
The Allies demand Germany's unconditional surrender and the Kaiser's abdication.
Pressure builds on Berlin. German forces, their spring offensive long exhausted, are beating a disorderly retreat.
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The allied zone
On November 3, German ally Austria-Hungary capitulates and signs an armistice.
Tensions mount in Germany as naval forces mutiny at Kiel and a general strike is called on November 5.
French officers, meanwhile, receive the order to allow safe passage of top German diplomats into Allied territory.
On November 7, at 8:30 pm, a ceasefire is sounded at La Capelle in northern France, near the Belgium border.
It is the first in more than 50 months of war and allows the German delegation, led by minister of state Matthias Erzberger, to cross into an Allied zone.
Tensions mount in Germany as naval forces mutiny at Kiel and a general strike is called on November 5.
French officers, meanwhile, receive the order to allow safe passage of top German diplomats into Allied territory.
On November 7, at 8:30 pm, a ceasefire is sounded at La Capelle in northern France, near the Belgium border.
It is the first in more than 50 months of war and allows the German delegation, led by minister of state Matthias Erzberger, to cross into an Allied zone.
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The ceasefire
Night has fallen on the forest clearing when the messenger returns, on November 10, with the commander's permission.
Negotiations resume. For three more hours the Germans argue, clause by clause.
Eventually there is a final version: by 5:20 am on November 11, the armistice ending a war started four years earlier has been signed in a train carriage in the woods.
The news reaches the troops quickly, received with disbelief. Some commanders decide to continue fighting to the bitter end; others will not risk any further lives.
On the stroke of 11:00 am the ceasefire agreed just hours earlier is sounded by bugles and clarions along the hundreds of kilometres (miles) of front line that stretch across Europe.
Negotiations resume. For three more hours the Germans argue, clause by clause.
Eventually there is a final version: by 5:20 am on November 11, the armistice ending a war started four years earlier has been signed in a train carriage in the woods.
The news reaches the troops quickly, received with disbelief. Some commanders decide to continue fighting to the bitter end; others will not risk any further lives.
On the stroke of 11:00 am the ceasefire agreed just hours earlier is sounded by bugles and clarions along the hundreds of kilometres (miles) of front line that stretch across Europe.