1917 - The Year of Revolutions

E1. The World At War 1917 - Week 128

Jan 5, 2017 · 10m

This war was supposed to be over by Christmas 1914. Now, as 1917 dawned, the world still knew 10 active theatres of war around the globe: Western Front, Italian Front, Eastern Front, Macedonian Front, Caucasus Front, Persian Front, Libyan Front, Palestine, Mesopotamia and German East Africa - and still there was no end in sight, no quick victory to be had for any side.

E2. No Peace For The Wicked - Week 129

Jan 12, 2017 · 10m

This week 100 years ago there was talk about peace between the great waring nations. But even after millions of casualties, starving people at home and more escalation on the horizon, the situation didn't seem bad enough for one of them to give in on their demands. At the same time, the fighting in Romania continues and the political situation in Russia becomes evermore dire.

E3. Fighting on Alpine Peaks - Call for Self Determination - Week 130

Jan 19, 2017 · 10m

The winter of 1916/1917 is the harshest one so far in the war. Nowhere do the soldiers suffer from these extreme conditions than on the Italian Front in the Dolomites. The fighting there is fierce already but the cold, avalanches and height make it even more brutal. After the failed peace negotiations, the cry for ethnic self determination can still be heard all around the world. And German foreign secretary Arthur Zimmermann sends a fateful telegram to Mexico that is today remembered as the Zimmermann-Telegram.

E4. Nivelle's Spring Offensive - Royal Conspiracy In Greece - Week 131

Jan 26, 2017 · 10m

Germany is about to unleash unrestricted submarine warfare again which might draw the United States into the conflict - but the Germans are not worried. The German Kaiser is instigating with his sister in Greece and Nivelle has big plans for a decisive battle in spring.

E5. Germany Resumes Unrestricted Submarine Warfare - Week 132

Feb 2, 2017 · 10m

This week 100 years ago, Germany goes all in and resumes unrestricted submarine warfare, their goal is to starve Britain out of the war before Germany cannot continue the war. All doubts are brushed aside and all shipping around the British Isles will be sunk without warning. At the same time, the economic situation in Russia gets worse and worse and winter prevents any major action.

E6. Bulgaria Digs In At Doiran - The Final Blow Against The Senussi - Week 133

Feb 9, 2017 · 10m

While the US breaks of diplomatic relations with Germany in response to unrestricted submarine warfare, the Western Front is rather quiet. On the Macedonian Front, the Bulgarian Army is digging in at Doiran. They built a formidable defence network without the Entente realising it and this week 100 years ago the British get a first taste of that. The British also deal the final blow against the Senussi tribesmen on the Libyan Front.

E7. Russian Bombing On The Eastern Front - US Prisoners of War - Week 134

Feb 16, 2017 · 10m

After breaking of diplomatic relations, the tensions between the US and Germany are still strong. This week the so called Yarrowdale prisoners become pawns in the power play between the great powers. At the same time, the Russian air force is bombing targets all over the north Eastern Front and little skirmishes happen on the overall quiet Western Front.

E8. Mechanised War In Mesopotamia - Toplica Uprising - Week 135

Feb 23, 2017 · 10m

After the humiliating defeat at Kut last year, the British upped their game in Mesopotamia and this week 100 years ago the British Indian Army starts making gains towards Baghdad. In the occupied territories of Serbia the local population is rising up against the Bulgarian and Austro-Hungarian occupants and on the Western Front, the British make surprisingly easy progress against the German Army.

E9. Conrad Loses His Job - Nivelle's Coup - Week 136

Mar 2, 2017 · 10m

The new Austro-Hungarian Kaiser is not happy about his Empire's dependence on the German ally. And he is also not happy about their own military decisions and over the winter has worked to replace key positions with his own men. The last step in that process is convincing Conrad von Hötzendorf to take a position on the Italian Front. At the same time, French Commander Robert Nivelle is trying to get control over the British Armies on the Western Front and the Zimmermann Telegram is released to the press.

E10. The Russian February Revolution 1917 - Week 137

Mar 9, 2017 · 10m

Food shortages, an overall desolate supply situation and great political turmoil make Russia ripe for revolution and this week 100 years ago, the people take to the streets. The US adopts a policy of armed neutrality.

E11. The Tsar Abdicates - Baghdad Falls - Week 138

Mar 16, 2017 · 10m

The protests that emerged in Russia this week are growing stronger and the Tsar is increasingly isolated until even his generals are pushing for his abdication. And after 300 years of Romanov rule, Tsar Nicholai II abdicates and when his brother refuses to take up the throne, the dynasty is no more. Meanwhile in the Middle East, the British are taking Baghdad effectively seizing control over a large area.

E12. Kaiser Karl Wants Peace - The Sixtus Affair - Week 139

Mar 23, 2017 · 10m

Since Kaiser Karl I ascended the throne of the Austro-Hungarian Empire he was not happy with the progression of the war. He felt that his empire was tied to their German ally more than necessary and this week 100 years ago he was starting a process of secret negotiations for a separate peace with the Entente. At the same time the British had increasing problems at the home front and the chaos in Russia continued.

E13. Lenin Wants To Take The Train - First Battle of Gaza I THE GREAT WAR Week 140

Mar 30, 2017 · 10m

When the Russian government promises to continue the war and support the Entente with another offensive, the Germans are allowing Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov aka Lenin to us a train from his exile in Switzerland to Russia in the upcoming weeks. The British Army once again underestimates the Ottoman Empire at the 1st Battle of Gaza and the Toplica Uprising ends.

E14. The United States Declares War on Germany - Week 141

Apr 6, 2017 · 10m

Diplomatic tensions after the return of German unrestricted submarine warfare and the aftermath of the Zimmermann telegram lead to the United States declaration of war on Germany this week 100 years ago. Meanwhile the British and French high command are still debating the upcoming offensive, namely the Battle of Arras which includes taking the contested Vimy Ridge and the Nivelle Offensive at the Chemin Des Dames.

E15. The Canadian Corps Takes Vimy Ridge - The Battle of Arras - Week 142

Apr 13, 2017 · 10m

This week 100 years ago, the Western Front comes to live with a big British offensive at Arras. The Canadian Corps and the British 51st Infantry Division take Vimy Ridge which had been contested for 3 years by now. The rest of the battles goes well in the beginning too but due to a snowstorm and the German defences it soon slows down.

E16. The Nivelle Offensive - Carnage At The Chemin Des Dames - Week 143

Apr 20, 2017 · 10m

French Commander Robert Nivelle was sure that his offensive would bring the final victory against Germany. He scaled up his successful plan from Verdun which had worked so well and even when other generals questioned the very idea of the offensive, he would refuse to alter it or call it off. The Germans knew that the French were coming and were well prepared. And so the disaster at the Chemin Des Dames unfolded.

E17. The Battle of Doiran - Turmoil In The French Army - Week 144

Apr 27, 2017 · 10m

The Salonica Front had been quiet over the winter, but much like the recent battles on the Western Front, it erupted this week. The British Army tried to take the Bulgarian positions at Doiran - these positions might have been some of the best defences of the entire war. After the failed Nivelle Offensive, some French soldiers start to question the whole war.

E18. The Battle of Arleux - Robert Nivelle Gets Fired - Week 145

May 4, 2017 · 10m

The Battle of Arras continued in smaller scale attacks this week 100 years ago. Fighting focused on Arleux and the Scarpe river. Neither of these battles was able to repeat the success of the early Arras offensive. The casualties of the Nivelle Offensive were now costing Robert Nivelle his job as he was still blaming everyone but himself.

E19. The Macedonian Standoff - The Five Nation Army Is Repelled - Week 146

May 11, 2017 · 10m

Italy, France, Serbia, Britain and Russia joined forces at the Macedonian Front and the "five nation army" wants to break through the lines held by Bulgaria with some German support. But the Bulgarian defences can withstand the attack and so Maurice Sarrail is forced to abandon all hopes for a breakthrough. Meanwhile another offensive is about to proceed at the Italian front which had been quiet all winter.

E20. Tenth Battle of The Isonzo River - Trotsky Arrives in Petrograd - Week 147

May 18, 2017 · 10m

The Italian Front has been quiet over the winter and while the Austrians used the time to improve their defences, the Italian Army prepared another offensive near the Isonzo River. At the same time, Leon Trotsky arrives in Petrograd which will ensure the further complication of the situation in Russia after the Revolution.

E21. German Bombers Over Britain - Arab Revolt On The Advance - Week 148

May 25, 2017 · 10m

This week 100 years ago, Germany is flying concentrated bomber attacks with multiple Gotha bombers on British cities - causing more damage than any Zeppelin raid before. In the Middle East, T.E. Lawrence and his allies from the Arab Revolt are on the march while on the Western Front, the last battles of the Nivelle Offensive come to an end.

E22. French Mutinies - Tunnels Under Messines Ridge - Week 149

Jun 1, 2017 · 10m

The casualties and lack of success during the Nivelle Offensive were too much for the French Army and now the breaking point was reached. While parts of the French Army are in open mutiny, British Commander Douglas Haig is already planning the next offensive at Ypres. This time he wants to combine it with an amphibious landing along the Belgian coast.

E23. The Battle of Messines - Explosion Beneath Hill 60 - Week 150

Jun 8, 2017 · 10m

In the early morning of June 7 the area around Messines Ridge is shattered by huge explosions beneath the German positions. Miners and sappers had dug tunnels and filled them up with tons of explosives. Up to 10,000 German soldiers are killed in this inferno. At the same time, the Romanian Army seems to be in shape for an attack against the Germans again and the 10th Battle of the Isonzo continues.

E24. Italian Mountain Warfare - The Espionage Act - Week 151

Jun 15, 2017 · 10m

The US entry into the war had raised some pretty unrealistic expectations among the Allies. When General Pershing arrived in Britain, King George personally told him how he looked forward to the 50,000 US airplanes soon in the air. At the same time the Italians start an offensive in the Trentino and attack Mount Ortigara.

E25. The Disillusionment of Lawrence of Arabia - Week 152

Jun 22, 2017 · 10m

Almost a year after the secret signing of the Sykes-Picot-Agreement, British intelligence officer and guerrilla fighter T.E. Lawrence learns about the deal. He learns how the French, British and Russians are carving up the Middle East while officially supporting the Arab Revolt. Lawrence is increasingly frustrated with this double crossing behaviour and warns his superiors about the consequences.

E26. Russia's New Offensive - The Russian Women's Battalion of Death - Week 153

Jun 29, 2017 · 10m

After the Russian Revolution, fresh optimism is gripping the troops at the front line and another offensive is planned. The first American troops arrive in France and Greece officially joins the Entente.

E27. Turmoil In The Reichstag - The Kerensky Offensive - Week 154

Jul 6, 2017 · 10m

The German home front is shaken by a political scandal this week 100 years ago. A member of the Center party reveals that the German unrestricted submarine warfare is not achieving what the German high command had hoped for. Paul von Hindenburg and Erich Ludendorff, who pretty much run Germany as a military dictatorship by now, also dispose of chancellor Theobald von Bethmann Hollweg. Hollweg was actually secretly involved in peace negotiations but that chance is gone with him too. Russia unleashes their Kerensky Offensive on the Eastern Front and puts further pressure on the Central Powers.

E28. Operation Beach Party - Mustard Gas Unleashed - Week 155

Jul 13, 2017 · 10m

British Commander Sir Douglas Haig is still convinced of his coming offensive in Flanders. But the Germans know that something is afoot and launch a spoiling attack at the Yser River - the name of the operation is Strandfest or Beach Party. They use blue cross gas for the first time there and two days later also use another new chemical agent which will be known as mustard gas.

E29. July Days In Petrograd - Blood On The Nevsky Prospect - Week 156

Jul 20, 2017 · 10m

The tensions between the Russian Provisional Government, between the civilians and the Bolsheviks turn violent this week 100 years ago. Machine Guns fire into the demonstrations on the Nevsky Prospect and arrest warrants are issued for Lenin and Trosky. At the same time the preliminary bombardment for the Battle of Passchendaele begins on the Western Front.

E30. Three Years of World War 1 - Week 157

Jul 27, 2017 · 10m

Christmas 1914 - that's when the war was supposed to be over. And now, in the summer of 1917, it entered its fourth year and there was no end in sight. The British Army was about to launch a new offensive near Ypres, Russia drowned in chaos and the central powers' defences were still holding. Though in Romania, the combined Russian and Romanian attack put a few cracks into the German self esteem.