Kaiserschlacht - German Spring Offensive 1918 I THE GREAT WAR Week 191

It was all or nothing for the German Army under General Erich Ludendorff now: They unleashed the biggest offensive of the entire war on the Western Front trying to split the British and French Armies, drive the British off the continent and capture Paris.
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Videos: British Pathé
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Literature (excerpt):
Gilbert, Martin. The First World War. A Complete History, Holt Paperbacks, 2004.
Hart, Peter. The Great War. A Combat History of the First World War, Oxford University Press, 2013.
Hart, Peter. The Great War. 1914-1918, Profile Books, 2013.
Stone, Norman. World War One. A Short History, Penguin, 2008.
Keegan, John. The First World War, Vintage, 2000.
Hastings, Max. Catastrophe 1914. Europe Goes To War, Knopf, 2013.
Hirschfeld, Gerhard. Enzyklopädie Erster Weltkrieg, Schöningh Paderborn, 2004
Michalka, Wolfgang. Der Erste Weltkrieg. Wirkung, Wahrnehmung, Analyse, Seehamer Verlag GmbH, 2000
Leonhard, Jörn. Die Büchse der Pandora: Geschichte des Ersten Weltkrieges, C.H. Beck, 2014
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Пікірлер: 1 000

  • @suddenlyminotaurs3469
    @suddenlyminotaurs34696 жыл бұрын

    I remember reading a kinda moving story about the opening days of the Kaiserschlacht, from a British soldier caught in the middle of it all. A British machine gunner was firing at a group of German stormtroopers, when he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned to find a German officer with a pistol, standing behind him, having obviously flanked around. Instead of killing him, the German said - not unkindly - "that's enough now, Tommy. The war is over for you." and took him prisoner. For a soldier caught in a static war of lines and artillery for years, to suddenly have the enemy appear behind you must've felt like the world had turned upside down.

  • @nicholasanonymous6796

    @nicholasanonymous6796

    4 жыл бұрын

    Where did you read this story? Interesting

  • @shelbybrown8312

    @shelbybrown8312

    3 жыл бұрын

    That's enough now Tommy the war is over for you... Damn

  • @acerld519

    @acerld519

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@nicholasanonymous6796 I read exactly the same story in Martin Middlebrook's 'The Kaiser's Battle'. It's full of such anecdotes and documents the first couple of days of the Kaiserschlacht.

  • @francishuddy9462

    @francishuddy9462

    3 жыл бұрын

    That was generous of the German soldier - in any war or battle, you would expect the machine-gunner to be summarily shot dead ... And that anecdote was probably from Middlebrook's "The Kaiser's Battle." I was just reading the book whilst having a nice hot bath 👍🇬🇧🇩🇪

  • @tylerschoen5643

    @tylerschoen5643

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@francishuddy9462 thank for the next book on my list old chap. Winter means lots of reading for me

  • @jrapcdaikari
    @jrapcdaikari6 жыл бұрын

    The Defeat of Russia in the East allowed Germany to concentrate its forces for one massive assault on the British Sectors. The initial hurricane bombardment was heard as far away as London. General Ludendorf then ordered his Stormtroopers to attack the enemy trench lines. - Battlefield 1 "I saw him yesterday, that artillery officer they're calling 'Durchbruchmuller'. He is here to orchestrate a symphony of our 10,000 guns firing three million shells in just five hours. Over the enemy lines all we can see are rolling clouds of flame and ash. It is like the end of the world. I almost pity poor 'Tommy' in their trenches, trying to make sense of it all..." - A German Stromtrooper, March 1918

  • @jrapcdaikari

    @jrapcdaikari

    6 жыл бұрын

    jrapcdaikari.deviantart.com/art/Kaiserschlacht-100-Years-Ago-736423042

  • @augustopinochet2495

    @augustopinochet2495

    6 жыл бұрын

    I've often wondered, are the quotes used in the game from an actual source (e.g. a letter or diary or something of that nature) or were they written for the game?

  • @massaweed420

    @massaweed420

    6 жыл бұрын

    I was going to try and find this quote in German, like it is in BF1, but this will do well enough lol

  • @ahmadhadi177

    @ahmadhadi177

    Жыл бұрын

    Paladin Colt That was because of The Brest- Litovsk Peace Treaty signed between the Germans and the Bolsheviks who overthrew the Tsar and the Russian Monarchy as a whole,right?As you mentioned,this allowed German troops from the Eastern Front to be reallocated to the Western Front.

  • @dingus6317

    @dingus6317

    Жыл бұрын

    @@ahmadhadi177 Lenin was shipped by train from Germany to Russia

  • @namefinder
    @namefinder6 жыл бұрын

    Only German storm troopers are so precise....

  • @panzerscoutsmemories1152

    @panzerscoutsmemories1152

    5 жыл бұрын

    namefinder But they don’t had the high ground

  • @mr.ramfan8100

    @mr.ramfan8100

    5 жыл бұрын

    Too bad for them that they can't win wars...

  • @dardo1201

    @dardo1201

    5 жыл бұрын

    Do they walk in a single trail though?

  • @onelead

    @onelead

    4 жыл бұрын

    @Hugo Holesch A for Afford

  • @anantachonnambat6701

    @anantachonnambat6701

    4 жыл бұрын

    @Nick G But then France and UK would fall to the syndicates and start a new Weltkrieg just for revenge.

  • @wizzzer1337
    @wizzzer13376 жыл бұрын

    ""This infernal bombardment. The noise, the smoke. The most tremendous cannonade I've ever heard. It swept around us in a wide curve of red leaping flame, quite unending in either direction!"

  • @Echani3007

    @Echani3007

    3 жыл бұрын

    I'm playing that rn lol, as Germans of course

  • @cesarst3720

    @cesarst3720

    3 жыл бұрын

    “I saw him yesterday, that artillery officer they are calling Durchbruchmuller. He’s here to orchestrate the symphony of our 10,000 guns, firing three million shells in just five hours. Over the enemy lines all we can see are rolling clouds of flame and ash. *It’s like the end of the world* I almost pity the poor Tommy in their trenches, trying to make sense of it all”

  • @Dermotallic
    @Dermotallic6 жыл бұрын

    "Storm of Steel" is a WWI memoir written by a storm-troop leader named Ernst Junger. He wrote a whole chapter on the Spring Offensive (Kaiserschlacht) which he fought in. He describes the moment that the artillery barrage began as follows: "At once a hurricane broke loose. A curtain of flames was let down, followed by a sudden tumult such as was never heard, a raging thunder that swallowed up reports of even the heaviest guns … and made the earth tremble. This gigantic roar of annihilation from countless guns behind was so terrific that, compared with it, all preceding battles were child’s play. What we had dared hope came true. The enemy artillery was silenced, put out of action by one giant blow … We looked with wonder at the wall of fire towering over the English lines and the blood-red clouds that hung above it… In front stood a blind wall of smoke, dust and gas… The very laws of nature seemed to have lost their validity. The air shimmered as though on a day of summer heat … objects danced to and fro … One could scarcely hear the thousands of machine guns in our rear that swept the blue sky with swarm upon swam of lead." Later in the chapter: "The great moment had come. The fire lifted over the first trenches. We advanced. The turmoil of our feelings was called forth by rage, alcohol, and thirst for blood as we stepped out, heavily and yet irresistibly, for the enemy’s lines … I was far in front of the company … In my right hand I gripped my revolver, in my left a bamboo riding cane. I was boiling with a fury now utterly inconceivable to me. The overpowering desire to kill winged my feet. Rage squeezed bitter tears from my eyes."

  • @bombsawaylemay770

    @bombsawaylemay770

    Жыл бұрын

    Epic book

  • @user-uh7cb3vy4v
    @user-uh7cb3vy4v6 жыл бұрын

    There isnt a more fitting name for a German Artillery Genius than Bruchmüller. Its as if he was destined to break the enemy lines of defense

  • @BonJoviworstbandever

    @BonJoviworstbandever

    6 жыл бұрын

    Durchbruchmüller

  • @andreascovano7742

    @andreascovano7742

    6 жыл бұрын

    what does it mean?

  • @Xfire209

    @Xfire209

    6 жыл бұрын

    Breakthroughmüller

  • @blankblank6545

    @blankblank6545

    6 жыл бұрын

    BonJoviworstbandever perhaps you already know this, but he was actually called that by his men.

  • @dariusniederer856

    @dariusniederer856

    6 жыл бұрын

    Andrei Skobtsov Bruch means Break and durch through so as the other dude said: Breakthroughmüller

  • @Heat1261
    @Heat12616 жыл бұрын

    On a serious note, this is the final climax of the war, from this point on the fate of the war will be decided, and history will be forever changed

  • @HaNNibal97smiTH

    @HaNNibal97smiTH

    6 жыл бұрын

    Also your fate will be decided

  • @KaiserWilhelm1888_II

    @KaiserWilhelm1888_II

    6 жыл бұрын

    The war will be over before christmas.

  • @TheIndignation

    @TheIndignation

    6 жыл бұрын

    You've got this in the bag Germany. It will indeed be over before Christmas.

  • @leonpaelinck

    @leonpaelinck

    2 жыл бұрын

    The war was already decides after the failure of the schlieffen plan

  • @nottoday2345

    @nottoday2345

    Жыл бұрын

    Little did yall know

  • @Chazwazzer-sk8sk
    @Chazwazzer-sk8sk6 жыл бұрын

    Well that's it settled then. Germany wins

  • @truthseekerchannel3584

    @truthseekerchannel3584

    6 жыл бұрын

    Charles Waite If it would there would be no ww2

  • @darthhaze2

    @darthhaze2

    6 жыл бұрын

    Nah bro. Allies are going to pull through and win. In fact, I bet my entire life savings on a Allied victory.

  • @Iamlicc

    @Iamlicc

    6 жыл бұрын

    i'll call that bet

  • @johnnygreenface4195

    @johnnygreenface4195

    6 жыл бұрын

    Kiryan France gies commie for sure. Prob not fascist

  • @phinix250

    @phinix250

    6 жыл бұрын

    well, we will see about that. if Germany can take the train station at Amiens then the Allies logistics will be crippled. however if not then the allies can reinforce and the US can help drive them back. The Fate of the world hangs on Amiens.

  • @SuperLusername
    @SuperLusername6 жыл бұрын

    Man, those Germans though... Taking on 3 of the most powerful countries in the world (aside from Germany itself), knocking one of them out and giving the other 2 a run for their money. It seems as though the Royal Navy participated in WW1 much less than in WW2 but at the same time played a much more important role in WW1.

  • @petrameyer1121

    @petrameyer1121

    6 жыл бұрын

    *cough* Jutland *cough* Pretty sure that is still the biggest seabattle of the Royal Navy in both wars.

  • @SuperLusername

    @SuperLusername

    6 жыл бұрын

    Petra Meyer I know but for some reason I have a feeling that besides Jutland there wasnt much else. While in ww2 there were enty of well known engagements between Royal Navy and Kriegsmarine as well as Regia Marina and IJN.

  • @ralphraffles1394

    @ralphraffles1394

    6 жыл бұрын

    Evilsamar German Navy never again left port or challenged the Royal Navy after Jutland. German Navy mutinied rather than face the Royal Navy in Battle again.

  • @SuperLusername

    @SuperLusername

    6 жыл бұрын

    Ralph Raffles Thats what Im saying. Royal Navy in WW1 seems to have played a larger role than in WW2. Even though it was less active. Thats my opinion at least

  • @TheSoleGOAT

    @TheSoleGOAT

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@ralphraffles1394 But the British casualties were higher

  • @merdiolu
    @merdiolu6 жыл бұрын

    It is really weird that Germans made such eleborate preperations , planning and developed advanced tactics for breakthrough but did not create any system to exploit the breakthrough once it occured like setting up a proper supply logistics system to keep the momentum of advance going or setting up final objectives to conclude offensive as a success strategically like railroad and motor road arteries , major cities etc. They were making up as went along.

  • @11Kralle

    @11Kralle

    6 жыл бұрын

    A "Proper supply logistics system" needs proper supplies in the first place. Ludendorff counted on a certain type of victory and got a different type of success. Spoiler: the troops stumbled upon allied depots and got aware of the fact, that their (semi-talented) opponents could revert to an overly abundant stock of supplies, both in quality and quantity.

  • @Raptor747

    @Raptor747

    6 жыл бұрын

    To be fair, the technology to really logistically support massive, rapid breakthroughs through terrain like the Western Front didn't really exist in WW1. It worked in 1914 because there were no trenches, no dug in artillery batteries, no barbed wire, no thoroughly broken and muddy terrain, no harassing aircraft, etc.. Logistically supporting massive, rapid offensives is a lot harder than most people realize. It really says something that, in 1941, the German army's thrust towards Moscow ultimately failed because it outran its own logistical capabilities, despite having virtually nothing in the way of enemy obstacles for said logistics to overcome.

  • @MajorCoolD

    @MajorCoolD

    6 жыл бұрын

    You shouldnt forget: Building railway lines and and motor roads takes time... as we got to know the Germans advanced in some places more than 7 kilometeres, which is a breeze for a person to walk over unbroken terrain and easy with modern vehicles, but keep in mind the Germans had a MUCH smaller motor pool than the Entante forces and there was litterally tens of thousands if not hundreds of thousands of soldiers that needed to be supplied, guns and cannons aswell and all of that... it's quite a challenge. Also the more the troopers actually carry with them, the more encoumbered they are, so there's numerous things to keep in mind.

  • @kaljulien

    @kaljulien

    6 жыл бұрын

    Great comment! In fact, the idea of "decisive battle" was the center of the German military thinking. Few considerations were made to global strategy, the strategy only goal was to find the place where the best tactical success can be achieved. Indy show a great example by pointing the fact than Luddendorf already changed his plans on day 2. So, after breaking through but achieved nothing strategically important, Germany have already lost. The exact same thing will doom Germany on WW2.

  • @hemmingwayfan

    @hemmingwayfan

    6 жыл бұрын

    In their defense the Western Front had been mostly static since the end of the Race to the Sea. Not only that but the Germans had primarily been on the defensive for all this time. Plus you've got hundreds of thousands of soldiers newly arrived from the Eastern Front in a relatively short period of time, potentially overwhelming the existing supply lines with their demands.

  • @BigTuna69VCR
    @BigTuna69VCR6 жыл бұрын

    Can't wait to see who wins the war! I've been avoiding spoilers this whole time.

  • @hebl47

    @hebl47

    6 жыл бұрын

    Come on, it's pretty obvious by now that the Germans have this in the bag!

  • @antonioaceves1080

    @antonioaceves1080

    6 жыл бұрын

    An massive offensive like this? The Germans have it in the bag I'm sure

  • @robertli3600

    @robertli3600

    6 жыл бұрын

    That's impossible lol if u took a history clas

  • @weldin

    @weldin

    6 жыл бұрын

    Russia comes back and wins.

  • @MakeMeThinkAgain

    @MakeMeThinkAgain

    6 жыл бұрын

    Wait for the dragons.

  • @steven_003
    @steven_0036 жыл бұрын

    I can't belive we are so close to the end. :(

  • @agentk1073

    @agentk1073

    6 жыл бұрын

    Steven003 we are now approaching the climax of the war, and it’s taken 3 and a half years to get there

  • @matiasmakinen5028

    @matiasmakinen5028

    6 жыл бұрын

    Still more than half a year

  • @jeroldproductions6367

    @jeroldproductions6367

    6 жыл бұрын

    Steven003 Can't wait to see how it ends.

  • @steven_003

    @steven_003

    6 жыл бұрын

    +Matias Mäkinen Compared to the last years not too long.

  • @steven_003

    @steven_003

    6 жыл бұрын

    +Agent K Yeah, now it's gonna get interesting.

  • @TheIfifi
    @TheIfifi6 жыл бұрын

    General ludendorff! ... I've been expecting you.

  • @alekseibrusilov8218

    @alekseibrusilov8218

    6 жыл бұрын

    Well hello there...

  • @iamaheretic7829

    @iamaheretic7829

    6 жыл бұрын

    General kenobi

  • @micklemore

    @micklemore

    6 жыл бұрын

    r/unexpectedprequelmemes

  • @TRUECRISTIANJESUS

    @TRUECRISTIANJESUS

    6 жыл бұрын

    Ludendorff was faxist

  • @alexandrejosedacostaneto381

    @alexandrejosedacostaneto381

    6 жыл бұрын

    What about the droid attack on the wookies?

  • @vasilzahariev5741
    @vasilzahariev57416 жыл бұрын

    That's my favourite Operation in Battlefield 1.

  • @fristnamelastname5549

    @fristnamelastname5549

    6 жыл бұрын

    Vasil Zahariev I agree! I also like the Verdun, the American one, and the 2 Russian Ops.

  • @seancondon5686
    @seancondon56866 жыл бұрын

    *Sees The Great War Has Posted A Video* Me: Yesss *Sees the date* Me: Yesssssssss *Sees that the Kaiserschlacht has begun* Me: YESSSSSSS

  • @seancondon5686

    @seancondon5686

    6 жыл бұрын

    TheSatanicTicTac Oh.

  • @ralphraffles1394

    @ralphraffles1394

    6 жыл бұрын

    TheSatanicTicTac it might be worth putting some money on that hunch.

  • @seancondon5686

    @seancondon5686

    6 жыл бұрын

    Paul Alexander Thanks man. Means a lot. I've been going through a lot lately. I've been looking for a job, fighting with my girlfriend, and just trying to figure out how I got to this point in my life. It takes effort to write now. It just used to be so easy. But now...anyway, it means a lot. Thanks for the support. Blessings. Who knows, I might write more soon! *Shrugs weakly*

  • @seancondon5686

    @seancondon5686

    6 жыл бұрын

    Paul Alexander *Begins losing faith in humanity yet again* (The trick is to put *s on either side of your message.)

  • @evelyngravatt3198

    @evelyngravatt3198

    6 жыл бұрын

    *WILL YOU NUMBSKULLS QUIT IT AND GET BACK TO THE TRENCHES?*

  • @SpacemanXC
    @SpacemanXC6 жыл бұрын

    "Clear the enemies from the sector." _pew pew pew_ "Sector secure. Advance to the next sector."

  • @terryl7855

    @terryl7855

    6 жыл бұрын

    SpaceManDawn AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

  • @SpacemanXC

    @SpacemanXC

    6 жыл бұрын

    GO GO GO

  • @darthmerlinigaming

    @darthmerlinigaming

    6 жыл бұрын

    We have been reinforced by an airship

  • @johnyoung4441

    @johnyoung4441

    6 жыл бұрын

    "This infernal bombardment. The noise, the smoke..."

  • @VoltSh0ck

    @VoltSh0ck

    6 жыл бұрын

    *Blows Whistle*

  • @thomassugg3422
    @thomassugg34226 жыл бұрын

    My Paternal Great Great Grandfather was involved in the Kaiserschlacht offensive but on the British side he was injured during a german attack he was on the Western front from 4th October 1914 to the 28th of June 1918.

  • @GravesRWFiA

    @GravesRWFiA

    6 жыл бұрын

    My great grandfather was there too, his cavalry regiment was recalled form Palestine where they had been allenby's headquarters troops and rushed to the front where mounted troops were , or will, play a role fighting the german's

  • @saint_matthias

    @saint_matthias

    6 жыл бұрын

    Why 28th of June not 11th of November

  • @thomassugg3422

    @thomassugg3422

    6 жыл бұрын

    Mr. Unopposed he was shot in the face whilst defending against a German attack.

  • @saint_matthias

    @saint_matthias

    6 жыл бұрын

    Thomas Sugg how do you know the detail

  • @thomassugg3422

    @thomassugg3422

    6 жыл бұрын

    Mr. Unopposed we have information from his military records

  • @fatalexception1269
    @fatalexception12692 жыл бұрын

    It is worth mentioning that this battle saw the first introduction into combat of the sub-machinegun. The German Stormtroopers carried the MP18's into battle, with great success.

  • @richpiana7011
    @richpiana70116 жыл бұрын

    With this offensive, Germany will surely win!

  • @LickPersianPussy

    @LickPersianPussy

    6 жыл бұрын

    I am rooting for the germans! go huns!

  • @SteveMHN

    @SteveMHN

    6 жыл бұрын

    All sides had been saying that since the start of the war.

  • @Nutellafuerst

    @Nutellafuerst

    6 жыл бұрын

    kinda funny to think about how the 20th might have played out if they had. there might have never been a cold war.

  • @dariusniederer856

    @dariusniederer856

    6 жыл бұрын

    I had doubts before but after this video I am 💯% Sure they'll win

  • @shirleymental4189

    @shirleymental4189

    6 жыл бұрын

    Moritz Rill Cold war? maybe not even a second world war.

  • @johnyoung4441
    @johnyoung44416 жыл бұрын

    -- This infernal bombardment... The noise, the smoke! -- The most tremendous cannonade I ever heard! Swept round us in a wide curving leap of flame quite unending in either direction. -- C'mon boys... Concentrate on your bayonet... Imagine it piercing the hearts of the hun. *Every last one of 'em...*

  • @enissamiri7989

    @enissamiri7989

    6 жыл бұрын

    Last Strike Mapping st quentin scar...

  • @batozorange

    @batozorange

    4 жыл бұрын

    You missed like 2 lines.

  • @LordVader1094
    @LordVader10946 жыл бұрын

    I love that thumbnail image more than words can describe. Also, just popping in on this episode to say I'll finally be fully caught up with the series, just in time for the end!

  • @LearnedSophistry
    @LearnedSophistry6 жыл бұрын

    This is it boys. The final push towards Paris! This should be quick and easy. Our new tank is far more powerful that theirs, plus with our secret new trench sweeper provided by Bergmann, they have no chance at stopping us! Onwards!

  • @phinix250

    @phinix250

    6 жыл бұрын

    you have cleared a trench but what about a city?

  • @suspicioususer

    @suspicioususer

    6 жыл бұрын

    Surely the war will be over by Christmas this time

  • @Oh-uk5ee

    @Oh-uk5ee

    6 жыл бұрын

    What quotes are these from lol

  • @ArcturusOTE

    @ArcturusOTE

    6 жыл бұрын

    Don't forget ze Bergmann und Parabellum machine guns, M1917 carbines, ze belt fed SMGs ze Austro Hungarians sent to us, and a variety of other exotic weapons because why not? They will never expect the -Spanish Inquisition- German offense

  • @plumbherhub1664

    @plumbherhub1664

    6 жыл бұрын

    Got mit unce

  • @iupetre
    @iupetre6 жыл бұрын

    Ah! The beginning of the much anticipated climax! It's hard to believe it's gone by so fast. I've been a subscriber since Spring of 2015. Such a great show and series.

  • @fristnamelastname5549

    @fristnamelastname5549

    6 жыл бұрын

    iupetre I bet the next war will end in a... flash I will show my self out.

  • @lebendigesgespenst7669
    @lebendigesgespenst76693 жыл бұрын

    Imagine having been in a meat grinder stalemate for years. You’ve learned the rules written in blood and experience: This trench is your side, you keep your head down, keep your gas mask handy, stay alert and you should be relatively safe. That trench over there is the enemy side, don’t look over there unless you’re a sniper ready to pickoff some curios greens, otherwise it’s pretty much the same situation for them. In between it all is no man’s land. It’s a field of death under truly no side’s control. Any person that goes out there will likely never make it to the other side and if they do then only the most brutal of combat of men giving their all to survive is all that awaits them. If they somehow survive to take the trench it won’t matter for too long. Then, out of the blue on a day almost like any other you experience the culmination of the German’s entire war effort in a sort of proto version of the blitzkrieg that would shake Europe a generation later. All the old rules are out of the window, everything you know is wrong, and while you were taking aim to fend off your trench you quickly find the Germans are already behind you

  • @ibrahimtuna375

    @ibrahimtuna375

    Жыл бұрын

    Kaiserschlacht or German stormtrooper infiltration tactics in general completely changed the aspect of the war. It was completely new like tanks. While tanks brought a armoured warfare to war, infiltration tactics changed the infantry so much that a very big part of basic infantry training today includes it.

  • @jimbodeathgrip
    @jimbodeathgrip6 жыл бұрын

    The beginning of the end...

  • @NormanMStewart

    @NormanMStewart

    6 жыл бұрын

    Brotha, please, wait till August....

  • @jimbodeathgrip

    @jimbodeathgrip

    6 жыл бұрын

    The start of the offensive that could've but didn't is the beginning of the end. They never recover.

  • @NormanMStewart

    @NormanMStewart

    6 жыл бұрын

    And their bitterness about it lasted nearly 3 decades...

  • @wierdalien1

    @wierdalien1

    6 жыл бұрын

    Jimbo Deathgrip id argue this is the end of middle

  • @johnnygreenface4195

    @johnnygreenface4195

    6 жыл бұрын

    Germany's got this in the basket

  • @97CoolDragon
    @97CoolDragon6 жыл бұрын

    "They say this will be the war to end all wars, but it shall not be the war to end us. STAND. FAST!"

  • @stephanmoore9234
    @stephanmoore92346 жыл бұрын

    Man! 3 million men that's as many as on the eastern front during operation Barbarossa in ww2!

  • @vasil21

    @vasil21

    6 жыл бұрын

    Exact number for the Germans on the Western Front on 21 March 1918 was 192 divisions +3 brigades for a total of 3,574,906 men. Yet this number was probably only about half of total Quadruple Alliance forces. Still it shows how massive this war was.

  • @sleong

    @sleong

    6 жыл бұрын

    this offensive was truly epic in scope.

  • @KUDO1973
    @KUDO19736 жыл бұрын

    Great work, Indy and Team! As usual, I should add. THANKS!

  • @DaGamesPlaya
    @DaGamesPlaya6 жыл бұрын

    There's something unique about the Spring Offensive, this weird atmosphere, of hell and armageddon. The last push, the final moment of "glory", it's Do or Die. I believe there isn't a more fitting name than Kaiserschlacht, especially for the sheer scale of the operation. Stormtrooper tactics on a scale unseen before, moving, moving, and not stopping, the same for the Entente, fighting to the last man...both sides fighting to the bitter end. It truly was the Rage of Men.

  • @jaeckex6214
    @jaeckex62146 жыл бұрын

    Now, THIS is modern war. Guys, we arrived at the beginning of modern warfare tactics.

  • @colinkelly5420

    @colinkelly5420

    6 жыл бұрын

    Not quite. The German lack tanks, which is an essential ingredient in modern warfare. Its really the Allies in a few months that birth modern combined arms tactics with concentrated tank attacks as well as innovative infantry and artillery tactics, plus the first real heavy use of Close Air Support.

  • @zaxxxppe

    @zaxxxppe

    6 жыл бұрын

    that is lack of supplies, Collin Kelly. We are talking about tactics which really are the basis of the modern warfare.

  • @felafnirelek8987

    @felafnirelek8987

    6 жыл бұрын

    In just a few short years, these tactics would begin to be refined in the russian civil war and the polish soviet war. Just twenty-one years after this, these twctics would be perfected. Germans rush across the border into Poland, and their tactics would esnure a fascist victory in spain.

  • @colinkelly5420

    @colinkelly5420

    6 жыл бұрын

    You need tanks for combined arms tactics, which is what modern warfare is. The Germans had Infantry, Artillery and air power (to an extent) down, but was missing the metal fist. If you mean infantry tactics, the French were actually ahead of the Germans. The German infantry platoon in 1918 still had specialized squads (1 squad of riflemen, 1 squad of rifle grenadiers, 1 squad of grenadiers (hand grenades), and 1 squad to support the 1x MG08/15). The French would by November 1918 have codified their platoon on the universal squad concept (3-4 squads per platoon, each with a LMG (Chauchat), riflemen, grenadiers and rifle grenades). The British would end the war with a hybrid, 4 squads per platoon with 2 squads as LMGs (Lewis guns) and 2 squads as rifles/genadiers/rifle grenades.

  • @smudgyace
    @smudgyace6 жыл бұрын

    Shout out to everyone (Like myself) who've been impatiently waiting for this video to be posted.

  • @petersullivan4301

    @petersullivan4301

    6 жыл бұрын

    Marcus Hines been waiting for a long time for this week!

  • @HaNNibal97smiTH

    @HaNNibal97smiTH

    6 жыл бұрын

    Same here, I think 1918 will surprise me in many ways

  • @sushimuncher282
    @sushimuncher2826 жыл бұрын

    "These infernal bombardments... the noise, the smoke. The most tremendous cannonade I've ever heard."

  • @davidhinde3229
    @davidhinde32293 жыл бұрын

    “The regiments fought literally to the last man”… makes me proud to be British that does 🇬🇧 🇬🇧🇬🇧

  • @smal750

    @smal750

    Жыл бұрын

    still had to get saved by the french tho

  • @sirvolkerstein
    @sirvolkerstein6 жыл бұрын

    ITS FINALLY HAPPENING!!! THIS WILL WIN THE WAR FOR GERMANY!!!

  • @ChevyChase301

    @ChevyChase301

    6 жыл бұрын

    SirVolkerStein oh say can you seeeee

  • @sleong

    @sleong

    6 жыл бұрын

    go GERMANY!!!

  • @11bravo1789
    @11bravo17896 жыл бұрын

    Man. Been a fan for 3 plus years.

  • @82dorrin
    @82dorrin6 жыл бұрын

    Looks like Germany has this in the bag!

  • @myalaskalife5837

    @myalaskalife5837

    6 жыл бұрын

    Onyx1916 you keep telling yourself that spoiler alert America wins

  • @HerrMatom

    @HerrMatom

    6 жыл бұрын

    ...

  • @felafnirelek8987
    @felafnirelek89876 жыл бұрын

    And this my freind, is the beginning of the Blitzkreig tactic. No movement without fire, and no Fire without moving.

  • @tjkapan3915
    @tjkapan39156 жыл бұрын

    BF1 & TGW brought WW1 back to life! A chapter in history our generation needs to give more recognition to.

  • @LJMpictures
    @LJMpictures6 жыл бұрын

    I love Indies enthusiasm, he is a FANTASTIC presenter backed by an awesome team! love it, been watching since i found it as the prelude to war on reddit. Never missed an episode! xoxo

  • @TheGreatWar

    @TheGreatWar

    6 жыл бұрын

    Great to hear you are on board for that long.

  • @ciandoyle1620
    @ciandoyle16205 жыл бұрын

    I always come back to this episode every few months or so and every time in astounded by the shear determination and grit that Germany showed during this offensive

  • @andreimorar5249
    @andreimorar52496 жыл бұрын

    A wonderful Great War video just on my birthday. Best present!

  • @TheGreatWar

    @TheGreatWar

    6 жыл бұрын

    Happy birthday!

  • @thesiselchannel

    @thesiselchannel

    6 жыл бұрын

    Happy birthday Andrei!

  • @Masada1911

    @Masada1911

    6 жыл бұрын

    Happy Birthday Andrei

  • @jeroldproductions6367

    @jeroldproductions6367

    6 жыл бұрын

    Andrei Morar Many men died on this day...

  • @andreimorar5249

    @andreimorar5249

    6 жыл бұрын

    Kapitain Nemo mersi :)

  • @Haydutin
    @Haydutin6 жыл бұрын

    It's heartbreaking that the absolute genius of the Germans didn't pay off. They were so close though, fighting against such odds, the entire world at war with them and their 3 other allies.

  • @gwanlee

    @gwanlee

    Жыл бұрын

    What a better world it would have turned out to have been had the Germans won ww1...

  • @TheYeti308

    @TheYeti308

    10 ай бұрын

    I like the 3 other allies part , smh .

  • @Mr.Isquierdo
    @Mr.Isquierdo6 жыл бұрын

    It took me three months to get to week by week. I feel like the United States scrambling to get with the times, but I got here before them :). Love the work, dedication, and education indy

  • @timmytwojohntwo9869
    @timmytwojohntwo98696 жыл бұрын

    I love this KZread channel. You guys give so much detail and information in so little time and have such an organized schedule. Great job!

  • @personpeoplehime
    @personpeoplehime6 жыл бұрын

    This video makes me want Germany to succeed

  • @ncrveteranranger9126

    @ncrveteranranger9126

    6 жыл бұрын

    Of course

  • @gwanlee

    @gwanlee

    Жыл бұрын

    Not just you, probably 90% of humanity also

  • @cpj93070

    @cpj93070

    8 күн бұрын

    @@gwanlee 90% more like 30%

  • @sirhumphreyappleby8399
    @sirhumphreyappleby83996 жыл бұрын

    Ernst Junger describes this as “the great battle” in storm of steel - it’s a great book and one by a German soldiers, great read to an one willing to get inside the mind of an actual soldiers - not a commander - I don’t think they compare

  • @Ellanvannin03
    @Ellanvannin036 жыл бұрын

    I saw him yesterday, that Artillery Officer they are calling Durchbruchmüller. He's here to orchestrate the symphony of our 10,000 guns, firing three million shells in just five hours. Over the enemy lines all we can see are rolling clouds of flame and ash. It is like the end of the world. I almost pity poor Tommy in their trenches, trying to make sense of it all.

  • @Boric78
    @Boric786 жыл бұрын

    This is a triumph. Best one yet - some serious drama and excellently presented (as always) , but it sets up some real tension. Looking forward to next week.

  • @Brolaub
    @Brolaub6 жыл бұрын

    You guys are the only channel where I wouldnt mind if you stretched out the video to make it 10 seconds longer. Stay awesome!

  • @WolfStrife
    @WolfStrife6 жыл бұрын

    I've been waiting for this episode for three years!

  • @britishtyler8240
    @britishtyler82406 жыл бұрын

    I love history and mostly The Great War so thanks for making these vids! This way people can learn and have fun by just watching your channel! :D

  • @tiggergolah
    @tiggergolah6 жыл бұрын

    The suspense is building. What happens next? Great job Indy and crew. Your maps, photos, and film footage have only improved. You've managed what most history documentaries fail to do -- communicate some of the stress, the devouring uncertainty, that marked everyone's lives touched by the Great War. Helping us break through our own wall of arrogant and complacent hindsight, is no mean feat. You help us share a sense of the unpredictable monster this war was, and massive changes rolling towards us like an avalanche in the snowy mountains, until it dominates our present.

  • @FinDan07
    @FinDan076 жыл бұрын

    It took almost 2 years, but I’ve finally caught up, just in time for Kaiserschlacht! No more reading months old comments! Can’t wait to see Germany win the war before christmas.

  • @TheGreatWar

    @TheGreatWar

    6 жыл бұрын

    good timing

  • @adamzak3569

    @adamzak3569

    6 жыл бұрын

    FinDan I am at the same situation as you :D this one is my first episode I am watching on time :) I really love this channel :) Big love guys from Slovakia

  • @Jeidjeneudejendu

    @Jeidjeneudejendu

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@adamzak3569 I'm forever gonna have to read months old comments 😔

  • @felafnirelek8987
    @felafnirelek89876 жыл бұрын

    This will break the Entente, and secure Ludendorf as one of the greatest strategists of the war, I'm sure of it

  • @foxph0rus
    @foxph0rus6 жыл бұрын

    This is the episode I’ve been waiting for for over a year.~ So glad I can truly learn about this offensive.

  • @unicat2190
    @unicat21906 жыл бұрын

    I've literaly been refreshng the age for the last 20 minutes, Im so excited for this episode.

  • @Strykke
    @Strykke6 жыл бұрын

    Indy, i never wrote a word even doe i watch your Great War series since begining because i was excited by ww1 long ago. I tought i know a lot about the war ( but after i saw some episodes i realized that i didnt knew sh÷÷ ), but last year was allways quite forgoten i tought, everyone just said that german tried some offensive then they failed and happy end, war ended. Then i heard stories about the people mood , which gathered near border towns etc. when the war was eneded. The people were confused and upset about German soldiers passing by coming in great numbers to their "defeated country" . I red about some browls between soldiers and citizens for their cowardnes, like they were sure of their victory. After this episode i am so curiouse what the hack stopped great german army in defeating allied uncopmetent generality. Thank for making this great project GREAT INDY COMPANY

  • @30CZEchpoint
    @30CZEchpoint6 жыл бұрын

    Yesterday I saw the officer they call Durchbruchmüller, he is here to orchestrate 6000 guns.

  • @matiasmakinen5028

    @matiasmakinen5028

    6 жыл бұрын

    Bf1 eh?

  • @30CZEchpoint

    @30CZEchpoint

    6 жыл бұрын

    yea boiii

  • @potato88872

    @potato88872

    4 жыл бұрын

    I have one of the best moment in that map

  • @suxcawks
    @suxcawks6 жыл бұрын

    I've been waiting for the Spring Offensive since I found this channel. Thanks, Indy. Can't wait for the Second Marne.

  • @micklats5584
    @micklats55846 жыл бұрын

    I've been waiting for this episode since I've discovered this page and learnt about the events in 1918. I live in Australia, so I'm very excited!!!

  • @SNOUPS4
    @SNOUPS46 жыл бұрын

    6:46 looks like the british guy in the back is still alive...

  • @indianajones4321
    @indianajones43216 жыл бұрын

    Germany had such high hopes...

  • @janwacawik7432
    @janwacawik74326 жыл бұрын

    In some miraculous way, Indy and the rest of the crew make those fascinating historical events even more fascinating and interesting. I've always been a huge history buff and I greatly appreciate your effort to teach more people about those monumental events in our world's history. I can only hope that this channel attracts much more viewers and fuels such a hunger for knowledge in them as it does in me. Love you all, Gentlemen. Indy, now you may give the rest of the team a raise (Aside of Flo, he's had more coal than the others. Please forgive me, herr Wittig.)

  • @mtrask3970
    @mtrask39706 жыл бұрын

    Sorry its coming to an end for you long time subs. I just discovered this channel about an hour ago, and I get to binge watch it from the beginning!

  • @jameshill2168
    @jameshill21686 жыл бұрын

    Shout out to BF1 for teaching me some of this

  • @tjkapan3915

    @tjkapan3915

    6 жыл бұрын

    James Hill Indy and the Great War team helped produce the game and did all the codex entries. BF1 & TGW brought WW1 back to life

  • @James--Parker
    @James--Parker6 жыл бұрын

    I can feel it! This offensive is going to be the big breakthrough to be exploited by cavalry we keep hearing about :D

  • @wulfheort8021
    @wulfheort8021 Жыл бұрын

    Being on the offensive side and causing about 200k more casualties on the enemy than they do on you is very impressive for WW1.

  • @user-xf4gw1yv6g
    @user-xf4gw1yv6g3 жыл бұрын

    Brilliant description thank you

  • @marcvsivnivsbrvtvs
    @marcvsivnivsbrvtvs6 жыл бұрын

    Today is my 30th birthday. Thank you TGW!

  • @TheGreatWar

    @TheGreatWar

    6 жыл бұрын

    Happy birthday!

  • @Palinghufter
    @Palinghufter6 жыл бұрын

    Since the release of Battlefield 1 I have been waiting for this.

  • @sleong

    @sleong

    6 жыл бұрын

    me too. This offensive was EPIC

  • @kstreet7438
    @kstreet74386 жыл бұрын

    Been waiting for this one.

  • @timmytwojohntwo9869
    @timmytwojohntwo98696 жыл бұрын

    I never thought I would watch an educational channel like this for fun, but you guys just make it so entertaining.

  • @sergeantpanther678
    @sergeantpanther6786 жыл бұрын

    Just to dwell on the name ‘Bruchmüller’ again, keep in mind the second part: Müller, literally ‘Miller’. And what happens in a mill? That is right! Grinding. And for every round a millstone makes, another batch of corn is crushed beneath the heavy stone coming down on them, and what is the First World War but an endless grind of millions upon millions of young wheat corns beneath the work of the millers of the time. Thank you. *Bows in front of Audience*

  • @MrHockeycrack

    @MrHockeycrack

    6 жыл бұрын

    Sarge, u put it quite lyrically. U know, btw, that Bruch means broadly break.

  • @sergeantpanther678

    @sergeantpanther678

    6 жыл бұрын

    Danke, Schlaukopf :D

  • @SovietDoge
    @SovietDoge6 жыл бұрын

    Germany got this one in the pocket guys. I figure they'll be marching through paris next month. GG

  • @phinix250

    @phinix250

    6 жыл бұрын

    They will have to take Amiens first.

  • @SovietDoge

    @SovietDoge

    6 жыл бұрын

    the British will defend it tooth and nail for sure, but germany can't possibly mess this up.

  • @ChevyChase301

    @ChevyChase301

    6 жыл бұрын

    Soviet Doge oh say can you see by the dawns early light

  • @jonwebb6644

    @jonwebb6644

    4 жыл бұрын

    Try 1940

  • @Paint_Eater

    @Paint_Eater

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@ChevyChase301 what so proudly we hail’d at the twilights last gleaming.

  • @HansKazan-z1c
    @HansKazan-z1c6 жыл бұрын

    Weird how excited I am for something of which I already know the ending. Great stuff Indy and crew!

  • @chrisbullock3504
    @chrisbullock35046 жыл бұрын

    Been a subscriber since winter 2014-15 and i cant believe this war is almost over... i mean when i started watching i was a sophomore in high school, now im a freshman in college... its hard ti imagine a war of this scale going on for all these years... Great video as always guys.

  • @maxanderson8872
    @maxanderson88726 жыл бұрын

    Sun Tzu would've hated Douglas Haig. Even if you can blame his failures on spotty intelligence, that level of naive overconfidence in the face of a powerful foe is the sort of thing that loses wars

  • @wierdalien1

    @wierdalien1

    6 жыл бұрын

    Max Anderson at the same time Sun Tzu was absolutely pro generals absolute power and pro confidence from them.

  • @alterkamerad5833
    @alterkamerad58336 жыл бұрын

    We Germans are the Best!😌😏

  • @nilsalmquist9424
    @nilsalmquist94243 жыл бұрын

    What a brilliant channel this is.

  • @hbabambroadz1536
    @hbabambroadz15366 жыл бұрын

    Best part of coming home from school each Thursday is knowing that I get a much better history class

  • @MerlijnDingemanse
    @MerlijnDingemanse6 жыл бұрын

    After three years, the war will finally be over by christmas

  • @iamaheretic7829

    @iamaheretic7829

    6 жыл бұрын

    3 years 3likes

  • @thewildcolonialboy8034
    @thewildcolonialboy80345 жыл бұрын

    The Germans came up with the best names for things.

  • @Petrus1904
    @Petrus19046 жыл бұрын

    The long awaited episode finally is here. waited for this moment since the summer

  • @PedroG78
    @PedroG786 жыл бұрын

    What an episode. Thanks Indy and TGW team

  • @turmunhkganba1705
    @turmunhkganba17056 жыл бұрын

    It will be over by Christmas

  • @ivangushkov3651
    @ivangushkov36516 жыл бұрын

    100 years ago the fate of the world hung in the balance. Scary isn't it?

  • @sleong

    @sleong

    6 жыл бұрын

    it truly did.

  • @andrewwalton8690
    @andrewwalton86906 жыл бұрын

    Just awesome presentation. Indi managed to grab me in a way that only Anthony Bevor (in Stalingrad) had achieved before. You feel yourself become caught up in the sense of impending victory.

  • @daltonmorgan6464
    @daltonmorgan64646 жыл бұрын

    Brilliant video

  • @maede3ta34
    @maede3ta346 жыл бұрын

    The britsh offensive was described Amman-ously.

  • @jacobstewart3428
    @jacobstewart34286 жыл бұрын

    Don't worry guys. The Marines are on their way.

  • @rianquinn7833
    @rianquinn78336 жыл бұрын

    My great Grandfather, a Captain in the royal Dublin fusiliers, was wounded by shellfire while retreating over open ground outside San Quentin, following the German's initial bombardment of the British front lines on the first day of this offensive. My dad said that my grandfather would talk about his complete disbelief that so many shells could be fired so quickly, and my grandfather had gone over the the top at the Somme, that tells you just what sort of shellfire the German's managed to muster that day.

  • @wingy252
    @wingy2526 жыл бұрын

    Reading letters from both British officers and infantry men from thede first few days of the offensive the mood is overall one of "The war is over we have lost" There is also a quote from Churchill who happened to be visiting another part of the front at the time witch also sounds very muchh like an "The end is near" but it is highly understandable. Having fought for that long in not sure i would have cared who won or not i would just want it to be over

  • @der_baerlauch
    @der_baerlauch6 жыл бұрын

    We need Bruchsocks to be 1918!

  • @Numaaaaaa1
    @Numaaaaaa16 жыл бұрын

    Ok it's time to play BF1 now

  • @pedrohenriquemenegollitama909
    @pedrohenriquemenegollitama9096 жыл бұрын

    good episode, very intense, great narrative

  • @KalamityStorm
    @KalamityStorm6 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for this video

  • @MrSarvy
    @MrSarvy6 жыл бұрын

    This time i m serious,the war will be over by cristmas

  • @luiscastaneda5250

    @luiscastaneda5250

    3 жыл бұрын

    You sir are underrated

  • @foresta-2684
    @foresta-26846 жыл бұрын

    Well Germany has already won

  • @marcanthonywareham9820

    @marcanthonywareham9820

    4 жыл бұрын

    I agree

  • @LordVader1094
    @LordVader10945 жыл бұрын

    I just have to say that this was probably the most intense episode of the series I've watched yet.

  • @johansmallberries9874
    @johansmallberries98743 жыл бұрын

    1:32, such an odd footing for heavy artillery. Half the thing bridged over what looks like a fast moving flood stream, that photo just stands out to me. Even the rifleman to the far left is looking at it like “guys we might need a couple more timber logs here..”