It Was like the End of the World

October 18, 1964

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The Great War - S1 - E21

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The story of the German offensive of March 1918, a desperate gamble to grab victory at a stroke.

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The Great War: Season 1 - 26 Episode s

1x1 - On the Idle Hill of Summer...
May 30, 1964
In 1914, the world was on the brink of enormous change. Worried by increasing German militarism, the French and the British entered into the Entente Cordiale against Germany and her allies, splitting Europe into opposing sides. Two shots would ignite the powder keg.
1x2 - For Such a Stupid Reason Too...
June 6, 1964
The assassination of the Austro-Hungarian heir Archduke Franz Ferdinand in June 1914 led to a breakdown in international diplomacy that ultimately led to war.
1x3 - We Must Hack Our Way Through
June 13, 1964
Following the declaration of war, the German army began to carry out one of the most famous military plans in history. Known as the Schlieffen Plan, its objective was to finish the war in 40 days.
1x4 - Our Hats We Doff to General Joffre
June 20, 1964
How the British army fought its first battle at the Belgian town of Mons. Despite initial success, the British infantry were sent into retreat after two weeks. Yet as the Germans pressed forward to Paris, apparently invincible, French Commander-in-Chief General Joffre slowly began to build a more solid resistance – which would lead ultimately to Allied victory.
1x5 - This Business May Last a Long Time
June 27, 1964
The Battle of the Marne in September 1914 ultimately proved to be a pivotal victory of the war for Allied Forces, but, at the time, they were not able to exploit it to bring a swift end to hostilities. Instead, both sides encountered the phenomenon of trench warfare. Culminating at Ypres late in 1914, the trench line stretched from the sea to Switzerland.
1x6 - So Sleep Easy in Your Beds
July 4, 1964
Attention turns to the battle of the sea. British confidence in the Royal Navy was to be shattered as it suffered defeats – the worst one at Coronel off the coast of South America on 1st November 1914.
1x7 - We Await the Heavenly Manna...
July 11, 1964
In 1915, France and Britain struggle to keep up with the demand for shells and artillery, but Germany – the most modern industrial system in Europe – have no shortages, having smoothly switched over to war production and introduced the use of gas made by chemical factories. The Allies discover democracy and laissez-faire industry will not suffice if they are to regain ground.
1x8 - Why Don't You Come and Help?!
July 18, 1964
As Minister of Munitions, David Loyd George was faced with a restricted industrial capability; Britain even imported materials from Germany in key areas. But with the help of US equipment, Lloyd George brought troops up to date, and by 1916 had transformed the armed services into a modern military power.
1x9 - Please God Send Us a Victory...
July 25, 1964
By Christmas 1914, the bloody impasse in the trench lines on the Western Front saw Lord Kitchener looking elsewhere for victory. In an attempt to sieze control of strategic Turkey, a British naval expedition advanced on the Dardanelles, and allied troops landed at Gallipoli with the aim of taking Constantinople. However, events did not go according to plan and, after 37 weeks, soldiers were evacuated from the beaches.
1x10 - What Are Our Allies Doing?
August 1, 1964
1915 brings little progress for the Allies, but a huge German offensive at Gorlice-Tarnow forces the Russians to retreat in the East. The Allied conference at Chantilly agrees on a strategy of simultaneous attacks upon the Central Powers in 1916.
1x11 - Hell Cannot Be So Terrible
August 8, 1964
One of the bloodiest battles in history, the fighting at Verdun continues throughout the year 1916. French and German forces suffer over 700,000 casualties.
1x12 - For Gawd's Sake Don't Send Me
August 15, 1964
Following Lord Kitchener's appeal in 1916, the British Army was reinforced by over two million volunteers. Despite the reservations of General Sir Douglas Haig, the new Commander-in-Chief, many of these mew recruits were sent to the scene of Britain's biggest military endevour – The Battle of the Somme.
1x13 - The Devil is Coming...
August 22, 1964
The Battle of the Somme – which began in July 1916 and continued into February 19 – leaves 415,000 Brits in a muddy grave.
1x14 - All This It Is Our Duty to Bear
August 29, 1964
Both sides make heroic bids for victory – but what will they have to show for it?
1x15 - We Are Betrayed, Sold, Lost
September 5, 1964
The French Army is rallied for a great spring offensive – but mutiny looms when the plans fall foul of the Germans.
1x16 - Right Is More Precious Than Peace
September 13, 1964
The future of the world is changed when America joins the conflict and the Communists come to power in Russia.
1x17 - Surely We Have Perished
September 20, 1964
On the Western Front in 1917, the British fought alone for three-and-a-half months during one of the wettest summers Flanders has ever seen. The result was the horrific battle of Passchendale.
1x18 - Fat Rodzianko Has Sent Me Some Nonsense
September 27, 1964
Russia's short-lived democracy is examined.
1x19 - The Hell Where Youth and Laughter Go
October 4, 1964
This episode recounts the war's terrible effects; not just the scale of the loss of life, but also the toll it took upon the human spirit.
1x20 - Only War, Nothing but War
October 11, 1964
Exploring how modern ideas of states' responsibility for their citizens grew out of the horror of "total war".
1x21 - It Was like the End of the World
October 18, 1964
The story of the German offensive of March 1918, a desperate gamble to grab victory at a stroke.
1x22 - Damn Them, Are They Never Coming In?
October 25, 1964
As Allied troops fall back in confusion under a German counter-attack, they wait for the arrival of US reinforcements.
1x23 - When Must the End Be?
November 1, 1964
On 17th July 1918, an Allied counter-attack marks the beginning of the end for Germany.
1x24 - Allah Made Mesopotamia – and Added Flies
November 8, 1964
Stalemate on the Western Front saw Allied generals look for victory via an alternative route – the Middle East.
1x25 - The Iron Thrones Are Falling
November 15, 1964
Its allies beaten, Germany faces defeat alone.
1x26 - ...And We Were Young
November 22, 1964
Relief spreads throgh the ranks on all sides as history's bloodiest conflict finally comes to an end. With the Armistice now in effect, the Allied countries are overcome by a frenzy of joy and exultation.

It Was like the End of the World

The Great War - S1 - E21

The Great War: Season 1 - 26 Episode s

1x1 - On the Idle Hill of Summer...

1x2 - For Such a Stupid Reason Too...

1x3 - We Must Hack Our Way Through

1x4 - Our Hats We Doff to General Joffre

1x5 - This Business May Last a Long Time

1x6 - So Sleep Easy in Your Beds

1x7 - We Await the Heavenly Manna...

1x8 - Why Don't You Come and Help?!

1x9 - Please God Send Us a Victory...

1x10 - What Are Our Allies Doing?

1x11 - Hell Cannot Be So Terrible

1x12 - For Gawd's Sake Don't Send Me

1x13 - The Devil is Coming...

1x14 - All This It Is Our Duty to Bear

1x15 - We Are Betrayed, Sold, Lost

1x16 - Right Is More Precious Than Peace

1x17 - Surely We Have Perished

1x18 - Fat Rodzianko Has Sent Me Some Nonsense

1x19 - The Hell Where Youth and Laughter Go

1x20 - Only War, Nothing but War

1x21 - It Was like the End of the World

1x22 - Damn Them, Are They Never Coming In?

1x23 - When Must the End Be?

1x24 - Allah Made Mesopotamia – and Added Flies

1x25 - The Iron Thrones Are Falling

1x26 - ...And We Were Young

The Great War: All seasons

S0: Specials

S1: Series 1