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The Great War
Season 3 • Episode 47 • The Death of Franz Joseph - The End of the Somme
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The Great War Season 3, Episode 47: The Death of Franz Joseph - The End of the Somme
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Episodes
52 episodes
Prelude to Verdun And The Road To the Somme - Week 76
1915 was a year in favour of the Central Powers. But in early 1916, the Russians, British and French were sending more fresh troops into battle than ever before – and better equipped too. French General Joseph Joffre was confident that a huge combined offensive at the Somme in summer would turn the tide. But German Chief of Staff Erich von Falkenhayn had his own plans to bleed the French dry at Verdun.
9 min
The Invasion Of Montenegro - The End of Gallipoli - Week 77
It already started around Christmas but this week the evacuation of Gallipoli is complete. While the evacuation was a success, the overall defeat is inarguable for the British. On top of that the Ottomans can now send 40.000 soldiers to the siege of Kut in Mesopotamia where the British are still awaiting relieve. At the same time the Austro-Hungarian Army starts its invasion of Montenegro and the Western Front is still quietly awaiting the offensive at Verdun.
9 min
The Fight for Montenegro & The Disaster Of Kut - Week 78
The Russians try to take Czernowitz, the Capital of Austrian Bukovina but thousands upon thousands of Russians were killed in action. While in Montenegro, Austro-Hungarian troops under commander in chief Franz Conrad von Hotzendorf take control of the Balkan state of Montenegro. A relief force led by Lieutenant-General Fenton Aylmer had to return to base after a big loss against the Turks, while in South Cameroon, so the Germans retire into Spanish territory.
10 min
The Kaiser's Birthday - Hypocrisy in Greece - Week 79
Even though Britain went to war over the violation of the Belgian neutrality by the Germans, the neutrality of Greece seems to be of no concern to the Entente. The military presence on Corfu and Salonika is growing and growing. And even though there is no fighting there, the soldiers have to suffer since general Malaria is taking his toll. In the week of the Kaiser's birthday, the diplomatic tensions between the USA and Germany are increasing and on the Western Front Trench Foot is becoming a real problem.
10 min
Germany Aims For Verdun - Russia Goes South - Week 80
The preparations for the huge German offensive at Verdun are almost complete. Thousands of artillery pieces are moved, millions shells brought to the front. Erich von Falkenhayn would soon unleash is offensive on the Western Front. At the same time, Russia headed south to the Caucasus once more in search for a desperately needed victory against the Ottomans.
10 min
The Generalissimo Goes Forth - Week 81
The situation for the Italian soldiers was dire during the winter battles, but even though Luigi "The Generalissimo" Cadorna maintained a tight grip on the strategy used, the equipment of the Italian soldiers was greatly improved. At the same time, the Russians were advancing on Erzurum in the Turkish Caucasus and war at sea counted a few more casualties on all sides.
10 min
The Ghost Of The Lusitania - Russia Takes Erzurum - Week 82
The sinking of the Lusitania is still causing diplomatic tensions between Germany and the USA. While the Germans insist they were forced by the British blockade to adopt unrestricted submarine warfare, the Americans think otherwise. In the meantime the Russian Army is taking Erzurum in the Caucasus and the big offensive at Verdun is delayed for a week.
10 min
The Battle of Verdun - They Shall Not Pass - Week 83
The Germans start the biggest battle in history with an artillery barrage of over 1000 guns on a 20 km front. The Battle of Verdun is the first major German offensive since the Race to the Sea and Erich von Falkenhayn has high hopes to break through the French lines. Right before the offensive starts, the French are able to reinforce their defences, so they are barely able to hold the line. The French credo is: "lls ne passeront pas!" – they shall not pass!
10 min
The US Arms Industry - The Fight for Douaumont - Week 84
The fierce Battle of Verdun continues but as the Germans under Crown prince Wilhelm push harder and harder, the German casualties begin to rise to the same levels as the French. The French Army is only kept alive through the sacred road which brings men to the front without a pause. One French soldier that gets captured around Verdun, is Charles De Gaulle. At the same time, on the almost forgotten Libyan Front South African cavalry saves the day like in the glorious past of the British Army.
10 min
Equilibrium of Carnage at Verdun - Portugal Joins The War - Week 85
The fierce battle of Verdun is still going on and the initial surprise momentum of the German Army under Erich von Falkenhayn is lost. Battles for hill tops and forts turn into carnage where even the winning side is loosing too much men to go on. The Siege of Kut is growing ever more desperate as the there is virtually no food left for the British Army. And in all that Portugal is joining the war.
10 min
Battle of the Isonzo - Discord Among the Central Powers
10 min
Russian Spring Offensive - Confusion at Fort Vaux
9 min
Verdun - A Nightmare to Annex
10 min
Zeppelins over Britain - Terror in the Skies
10 min
The Meat Grinder at Verdun - Brusilov's New Plan
10 min
The Muddy Graves of Russia and Kut
10 min
Dividing Up the Middle East - The Sykes-Picot Agreement
10 min
The British Surrender at Kut - Germany Restricts the U-Boats
10 min
The British Death March in Mesopotamia
10 min
Conrad's Cunning Plan - Hiding in Plain Sight
10 min
Cutting Germany's Wings - The Dawn of the Air Force
10 min
The Battle of Jutland - Royal Navy vs. German Imperial Navy
10 min
The Brusilov Offensive - The Arab Revolt
11 min
What If - Two Pivotal Moments of World War 1
9 min
The Death of Max Immelmann - Haig's Final Offensive
11 min
British Artillery at the Somme - Brusilov Offensive Implodes
10 min
The Battle of the Somme - Brusilov on His Own
11 min
Meatgrinder at the Somme - Battle of Mametz Wood
9 min
Australia's Darkest Hour - The Battle of Fromelles
10 min
Happy Birthday World War 1
10 min
Germany's Grandeur - Analyzing the War Effort
10 min
Italy Breaks Through - Cadorna's Triumph
10 min
Cadorna Snatches Defeat From the Jaws of Victory
10 min
The Five Nation Army - The Salonica Front Erupts
10 min
Romania Joins the War
10 min
Fire in the Sky - Zeppelin Shot Down Over Britain
10 min
Beasts of Steel - The First Tanks on the Battlefield
10 min
Manfred von Richthofen's First Victory - American Volunteers in WW1
10 min
Falkenhayn Crosses the Carpathians - The Battle of Sibiu
11 min
Douglas Haig's Fantasies Drown in Mud
11 min
Deadly Routine on the Italian Front - The 8th Battle of the Isonzo
10 min
French Plans for Glory at Verdun - Romania Stops the Germans
10 min
France Turns the Tide at Verdun
10 min
War of Attrition on the Italian Front - The Ninth Battle of the Isonzo
10 min
Charming the Poles - The Central Powers Look for New Allies
11 min
Heavy Action at the Somme - The Fight for Monastir
10 min
The Death of Franz Joseph - The End of the Somme
10 min
Romania on the Ropes - Reflections on the Battle of the Somme
11 min
The Fall of Bucharest - Political Turmoil in Russia
10 min
The Mesopotamian Front Awakes - Joseph Joffre Gets Sacked
10 min
They Did Not Pass - The Battle of Verdun Ends
10 min
Turmoil in Russia - The Assassination of Rasputin
11 min