Last Day of World War One
Encyclopedia
The Last Day of World War One is an episode in the 2008 season of the Television
series Timewatch
. The programme was a co-production between the Open University
and the BBC
and aired in November 2008 on BBC 2. The material was presented by Michael Palin
who reveals the shocking truth that soldiers continued to be killed in battle for many hours after the Armistice had been signed. Palin recounts the personal stories of the last soldiers to die in the final days, hours and minutes of World War I
.
The programme commences with a brief mention of Major General William M. Wright of the United States 89th Division who, according to the Palin, sacrificed lives storming the town of Stenay
simply so his troops could have a bath; ... that lunatic decision cost something like 300 casualties according to American historical author Joseph E. Persico
.
The German 1918 Spring Offensive was Germany's last attempt to force the British and French to capitulate before the expected arrival of overwhelming American forces. The gamble almost succeeded but the allies first held and then, in July at the River Marne. pushed back the Germans. On 8 August - The Black Day of the German Army, the British launched their counter-attack at Amiens
. The Germans were forced back and would never recover. They had suffered extremely high casualties in their offensives; the allied naval blockade was threatening starvation; revolution at home meant troops were fighting both the enemy and their own countrymen; and now American troops were arriving at the front at a rate of 300,000 each month.
Faced with disaster, the German Government dispatched a civilian peace delegation under Matthias Erzberger
. On Thursday, 7 November French soldiers on the Front line near La Capelle
witnessed the approach of several German cars bearing white flags. The delegation was escorted through the devastated French landscape via Guise
and onto Homblières
from where they were placed on a train. The train was routed through Tergnier
to a gun siding by Rethondes
in the forest of Compiègne
and the personal train carriage of Marshal
Foch
, supreme commander of the Allied armies
.
Foch was in no mood to compromise and greeted the delegation: What do you want from me?. The Germans stated that they were there to negotiate an armistice. Foch replied that as far as he was concerned there would be no negotiation - they were there to receive his terms. A meeting was arranged for the next day from whence the Germans would have 72 hours, from the 8th to 11th, to agree to Foch's terms; Erzberger suggested an immediate ceasefire but this was refused by Foch.
Foch conceded virtually nothing during the ensuing talks. Erzberger was required to telegraph the terms back to the Supreme Command and was told to accept any terms as the situation was so grave; the messages were uncoded and were read by the Allies. At 5:10 am 11 November 1918 the two sides signed and the news was sent around the world that hostilities would cease at 11:00 am.
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
series Timewatch
Timewatch
Timewatch is a long-running British television series showing documentaries on historical subjects, spanning all human history. It was first broadcast on 29th September 1982 and is produced by the BBC, the Timewatch brandname is used as a banner title in the UK, but many of the individual...
. The programme was a co-production between the Open University
Open University
The Open University is a distance learning and research university founded by Royal Charter in the United Kingdom...
and the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
and aired in November 2008 on BBC 2. The material was presented by Michael Palin
Michael Palin
Michael Edward Palin, CBE FRGS is an English comedian, actor, writer and television presenter best known for being one of the members of the comedy group Monty Python and for his travel documentaries....
who reveals the shocking truth that soldiers continued to be killed in battle for many hours after the Armistice had been signed. Palin recounts the personal stories of the last soldiers to die in the final days, hours and minutes of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.
The programme commences with a brief mention of Major General William M. Wright of the United States 89th Division who, according to the Palin, sacrificed lives storming the town of Stenay
Stenay
Stenay is a commune in the Meuse department in Lorraine in north-eastern France.It was one of the last villages to experience fighting during World War I. Stenay was captured on 11 November 1918 by the American 89th Division under General William M. Wright only hours before the Armistice went into...
simply so his troops could have a bath; ... that lunatic decision cost something like 300 casualties according to American historical author Joseph E. Persico
Joseph E. Persico
Joseph E. Persico is an author. From 1974 to 1977 he was primary speechwriter to Vice President Nelson Rockefeller...
.
The German 1918 Spring Offensive was Germany's last attempt to force the British and French to capitulate before the expected arrival of overwhelming American forces. The gamble almost succeeded but the allies first held and then, in July at the River Marne. pushed back the Germans. On 8 August - The Black Day of the German Army, the British launched their counter-attack at Amiens
Amiens
Amiens is a city and commune in northern France, north of Paris and south-west of Lille. It is the capital of the Somme department in Picardy...
. The Germans were forced back and would never recover. They had suffered extremely high casualties in their offensives; the allied naval blockade was threatening starvation; revolution at home meant troops were fighting both the enemy and their own countrymen; and now American troops were arriving at the front at a rate of 300,000 each month.
Faced with disaster, the German Government dispatched a civilian peace delegation under Matthias Erzberger
Matthias Erzberger
Matthias Erzberger was a German politician. Prominent in the Centre Party, he spoke out against the First World War from 1917 and eventually signed the Armistice with Germany for the German Empire...
. On Thursday, 7 November French soldiers on the Front line near La Capelle
La Capelle
La Capelle is a commune in the Aisne department in Picardy in northern France.-Population:-References:*...
witnessed the approach of several German cars bearing white flags. The delegation was escorted through the devastated French landscape via Guise
Guise
Guise is a commune in the Aisne department in Picardy in northern France.-Population:-Sights:The ruins of the medieval castle of Guise, seat of the Dukes of Guise, are located in the commune.-Miscellaneous:...
and onto Homblières
Homblières
Homblières is a commune in the Aisne department in Picardy in northern France.-Population:-References:*...
from where they were placed on a train. The train was routed through Tergnier
Tergnier
Tergnier is a commune in the Aisne department in Picardy in northern France.-Population:...
to a gun siding by Rethondes
Rethondes
Rethondes is a small village in northern France. It is designated municipally as a commune within the département of Oise....
in the forest of Compiègne
Compiègne
Compiègne is a city in northern France. It is designated municipally as a commune within the département of Oise.The city is located along the Oise River...
and the personal train carriage of Marshal
Marshal of France
The Marshal of France is a military distinction in contemporary France, not a military rank. It is granted to generals for exceptional achievements...
Foch
Ferdinand Foch
Ferdinand Foch , GCB, OM, DSO was a French soldier, war hero, military theorist, and writer credited with possessing "the most original and subtle mind in the French army" in the early 20th century. He served as general in the French army during World War I and was made Marshal of France in its...
, supreme commander of the Allied armies
Allies of World War I
The Entente Powers were the countries at war with the Central Powers during World War I. The members of the Triple Entente were the United Kingdom, France, and the Russian Empire; Italy entered the war on their side in 1915...
.
Foch was in no mood to compromise and greeted the delegation: What do you want from me?. The Germans stated that they were there to negotiate an armistice. Foch replied that as far as he was concerned there would be no negotiation - they were there to receive his terms. A meeting was arranged for the next day from whence the Germans would have 72 hours, from the 8th to 11th, to agree to Foch's terms; Erzberger suggested an immediate ceasefire but this was refused by Foch.
Foch conceded virtually nothing during the ensuing talks. Erzberger was required to telegraph the terms back to the Supreme Command and was told to accept any terms as the situation was so grave; the messages were uncoded and were read by the Allies. At 5:10 am 11 November 1918 the two sides signed and the news was sent around the world that hostilities would cease at 11:00 am.