104 years ago today, the First World War came to an end.
In today’s not so #ForgottenFriday, we are focusing on the significance of 11th November and the Armistice. #wewillrememberthem.
On 11th November 1918 at 11am, after more than four years of endless fighting and the loss of millions of lives, the guns on the Western Front fell silent. Although fighting continued elsewhere, the armistice between Germany and the Allies was the first step to ending the First World War. The reaction across the globe was one of mixed emotions: relief, celebration, disbelief, and a huge sense of loss.
It’ll be over by Christmas!
When the First World War began in August 1914, few expected the conflict to last beyond Christmas. Over the course of the next few months, however, it was clear this would not come to pass. The conflict, already expanded beyond Europe, included great movements of imperial colonies in Africa and Asia. As it progressed, further independent nations like Bulgaria, Romania, Italy, the Ottoman Empire, China and Japan joined the fighting. Not until 1918 would the war’s end be in sight. In October of that year, an armistice between the Ottoman Empire and the Allies ended fighting in the Middle East. Only days later, the disintegrating Austro-Hungarian Empire signed an armistice with Italy.
German Collapse
In the west, the German Army’s quick collapse led Germany to pursue an armistice. The Allied delegation, led by Supreme Allied Commander Marshal Ferdinand Foch, largely ignored United States President Woodrow Wilson’s Fourteen Points for Peace and left no room for negotiation. The German delegation was given 72 hours to accept the terms, which were purposefully severe to prevent Germany from resuming fighting. These included complete demilitarization, the evacuation of France, Belgium, and Alsace-Lorraine (a territory that had been annexed by Germany in 1871 following the Franco-Prussian War), and the immediate release of Allied prisoners of war and interned civilians.
The Kaiser Abdicates
On 10th November 1918, the Germans received word that Kaiser Wilhelm II had abdicated and instructions from the new government that they should sign the armistice. At 5 a.m. on 11th November, the armistice was agreed upon. Marshal Foch sent word to Allied commanders that:
“Hostilities will be stopped on the entire Front beginning at 11am, November 11th. The Allied troops will not go beyond the line reached at that hour on that date until further orders.”
The war on the Western Front had finally come to an end. Though one of several armistices signed in 1918, it is the armistice of 11th November that left a lasting global legacy. We will continue to remember those who fought for our freedom.
Here at Eden Camp, we will laying a wreath in remembrance, and donating to The Poppy Appeal to support those in the forces now.
Bibliography: To read more on this topic visit the following
https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/armistice-day-1918-in-pictures
Cuthbertson, Guy. Peace at Last: A Portrait of Armistice Day, 11 November 1918. United States, Yale University Press, 2018.
Persico, Joseph E.. 11th Month, 11th Day, 11th Hour: Armistice Day, 1918, World War I and Its Violent Climax. United Kingdom, Arrow, 2005.
Bell, Louise. Armistice. United Kingdom, Pen & Sword Books, 2018.
