1916 - The Year of Battles

01 Prelude to Verdun And The Road To the Somme - Week 76 Episode 17th January 2016 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. 02 The Invasion Of Montenegro - The End of Gallipoli - Week 77 Episode 214th January 2016 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. 03 The Fight for Montenegro & The Disaster Of Kut - Week 78 Episode 321st January 2016 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. 04 The Kaiser's Birthday - Hypocrisy in Greece - Week 79 Episode 428th January 2016 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. 05 Germany Aims For Verdun - Russia Goes South - Week 80 Episode 54th February 2016 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. 06 The Generalissimo Goes Forth - Week 81 Episode 611th February 2016 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. 07 The Ghost Of The Lusitania - Russia Takes Erzurum - Week 82 Episode 718th February 2016 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. 08 The Battle of Verdun - They Shall Not Pass - Week 83 Episode 825th February 2016 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! 09 The US Arms Industry - The Fight for Douaumont - Week 84 Episode 93rd March 2016 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 Equilibrium of Carnage at Verdun - Portugal Joins The War - Week 85 Episode 1010th March 2016 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. 11 Battle of the Isonzo - Discord Among the Central Powers Episode 1117th March 2016 12 Russian Spring Offensive - Confusion at Fort Vaux Episode 1224th March 2016 13 Verdun - A Nightmare to Annex Episode 1331st March 2016 14 Zeppelins over Britain - Terror in the Skies Episode 147th April 2016 15 The Meat Grinder at Verdun - Brusilov's New Plan Episode 1514th April 2016 16 The Muddy Graves of Russia and Kut Episode 1621st April 2016 17 Dividing Up the Middle East - The Sykes-Picot Agreement Episode 1728th April 2016 18 The British Surrender at Kut - Germany Restricts the U-Boats Episode 185th May 2016 19 The British Death March in Mesopotamia Episode 1912th May 2016 20 Conrad's Cunning Plan - Hiding in Plain Sight Episode 2019th May 2016 21 Cutting Germany's Wings - The Dawn of the Air Force Episode 2126th May 2016 22 The Battle of Jutland - Royal Navy vs. German Imperial Navy Episode 222nd June 2016 23 The Brusilov Offensive - The Arab Revolt Episode 239th June 2016 24 What If - Two Pivotal Moments of World War 1 Episode 2416th June 2016 25 The Death of Max Immelmann - Haig's Final Offensive Episode 2523rd June 2016 26 British Artillery at the Somme - Brusilov Offensive Implodes Episode 2630th June 2016 27 The Battle of the Somme - Brusilov on His Own Episode 277th July 2016 28 Meatgrinder at the Somme - Battle of Mametz Wood Episode 2814th July 2016 29 Australia's Darkest Hour - The Battle of Fromelles Episode 2921st July 2016 30 Happy Birthday World War 1 Episode 3028th July 2016 31 Germany's Grandeur - Analyzing the War Effort Episode 314th August 2016 32 Italy Breaks Through - Cadorna's Triumph Episode 3211th August 2016 33 Cadorna Snatches Defeat From the Jaws of Victory Episode 3318th August 2016 34 The Five Nation Army - The Salonica Front Erupts Episode 3425th August 2016 35 Romania Joins the War Episode 351st September 2016 36 Fire in the Sky - Zeppelin Shot Down Over Britain Episode 368th September 2016 37 Beasts of Steel - The First Tanks on the Battlefield Episode 3715th September 2016 38 Manfred von Richthofen's First Victory - American Volunteers in WW1 Episode 3822nd September 2016 39 Falkenhayn Crosses the Carpathians - The Battle of Sibiu Episode 3929th September 2016 40 Douglas Haig's Fantasies Drown in Mud Episode 406th October 2016 41 Deadly Routine on the Italian Front - The 8th Battle of the Isonzo Episode 4113th October 2016 42 French Plans for Glory at Verdun - Romania Stops the Germans Episode 4220th October 2016 43 France Turns the Tide at Verdun Episode 4327th October 2016 44 War of Attrition on the Italian Front - The Ninth Battle of the Isonzo Episode 443rd November 2016 45 Charming the Poles - The Central Powers Look for New Allies Episode 4510th November 2016 46 Heavy Action at the Somme - The Fight for Monastir Episode 4617th November 2016 47 The Death of Franz Joseph - The End of the Somme Episode 4724th November 2016 48 Romania on the Ropes - Reflections on the Battle of the Somme Episode 481st December 2016 49 The Fall of Bucharest - Political Turmoil in Russia Episode 498th December 2016 50 The Mesopotamian Front Awakes - Joseph Joffre Gets Sacked Episode 5015th December 2016 51 They Did Not Pass - The Battle of Verdun Ends Episode 5122nd December 2016 52 Turmoil in Russia - The Assassination of Rasputin Episode 5229th December 2016