Documentary - 250 mins
Audience - General
Classification - Exempt
Region - 2
Format - PAL
Language - English

Product weight 450g

DVD compatibility

 

Disc 1. 1914: To Arms

The first phase of WWI, known as the "Battle of the Frontiers" included the efforts of the British Expeditionary Force at Mons, the regrouping of the British and French at Marne and the brilliant victory by the Germans at Tannenberg. The second phase "The Race for the Sea" saw both sides attempting to outflank their enemies but by Christmas a stalemate was reached and trench warfare characterised the conflict.

Disc 2. 1915: Death in Foreign Fields

1915 was characterised by deadlock and a widening of the conflict. British cities were bombed by Zeppelin airships, German U-Boats attacking neutral shipping and gas was used at the Battles of Bolimov, Ypres and Loos. The Italians faced awful hardships in the first of twelve battles along the Isonzo River and the year ended with the Allies' withdrawal from Gallipoli which typified their fortunes throughout 1915, small gains at an enormous cost.

Disc 3. 1916: Stalemate

1916 saw the carnage increase to new levels. In February, the Germans began their assault on the forts at Verdun. In the East, the Russians launched the Brusilov Offensive whilst the British initiated the Battle of the Somme with terrible loss of life for little gain. At sea, the dreadnoughts of the Royal Navy and German High Seas Fleet clashed at Jutland in the war's one substantial sea battle.

Disc 4. 1917: The Breaking of Armies

Mutiny in Russia's ranks forced her withdrawal from the conflict. However, morale was restored by a string of Allied successes. Spectacular gains were achieved by Canadian forces at Vimy Ridge and the Battle of Messines allowed for the much larger Third Battle of Ypres. In November, the Battle of Cambrai heralded the first time tanks were used with marked success. By Christmas, both sides realised that 1918 would be a decisive year.

Disc 5. 1918: Germany's Last Gamble

1918 began disastrously for the Allies' war effort. Using new ‘Storm Trooper' tactics, the Germans launched attacks with devastating results. However, the lack of supplies and the outbreak of "Spanish Influenza" meant that the German forces were unable to push on. Their collapse was rapid and panic in the German High Command led to an Armistice which began on November 11th, 1918. The Great War was finally over.

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