Germany's capitulation in the First World War

On October 14, 1918, the general attack of the Entente troops on the Western Front began . By October 20, the German troops were completely driven to the position of Hermann, Gunding, Brünnhilde, Krimgilda. The impending catastrophe was felt in Germany itself; therefore, on September 29, Hindenburg and Ludendorff declared the need to form a new government. On October 1, the government of the German Empire received a resignation, and on October 3, an office was formed, headed by Prince Max of Baden, who had a reputation among the German bourgeoisie and Junkers as a liberal and pacifist. On October 4, the German government appealed to the US government to begin peace negotiations on the basis of the “ Fourteen Points ” set forth by Woodrow Wilson in his message to Congress on January 8, 1918. By doing this, the Germans hoped to increase distrust in the Allied camp.

However, Washington was not in a hurry with a truce, trying to weaken Germany as much as possible. The President of the United States did not reject the possibility of starting peace talks, but said that he demanded that Germany guarantee the implementation of all 14 points . The exchange of notes between the US and German governments on the conditions for the withdrawal of troops from the occupied regions of Belgium and France , on the cessation of the submarine war and other conditions of the ceasefire continued until the end of October to make the Entente more accommodating. Wilhelm II dismissed Ludendorff on October 26 , appointing him first Quartermaster General of General V. Grener .

Meanwhile, the fighting on the Western Front entered its final stage, on November 5, the 1st American Army managed to break through the German front, and on November 6 the general retreat of the German troops began. At this critical time for Germany, an uprising of sailors of the German fleet began in Kiel , which developed into the November revolution . All attempts to suppress the revolutionary demonstrations were unsuccessful.

In order to prevent the final defeat of the army, on November 8, a German delegation arrived at Compiegne Forest, received by Marshal Foch . The armistice terms put forward by the Entente were as follows:

• The cessation of hostilities, the evacuation within 14 days of areas of France occupied by German troops, the territories of Belgium and Luxembourg , as well as Alsace-Lorraine.
• Entente troops occupied the left bank of the Rhine (moreover, the entire occupation army was vested in Germany), and the creation of a demilitarized zone was provided for on the right bank.
• Germany pledged to immediately return all prisoners of war to their homeland, as well as to evacuate their troops from the territory of the countries that were formerly part of Austria-Hungary , from Romania , Turkey and East Africa .

Germany was to give the Entente 5,000 artillery pieces, 30,000 machine guns, 3,000 mortars, 5,000 steam locomotives, 150,000 wagons, 2,000 aircraft, 10,000 trucks, 6 heavy cruisers, 10 battleships, 8 light cruisers, 50 destroyers and 160 submarines. The rest of the ships of the German Navy were disarmed and interned by the Allies. The blockade of Germany remained. Foch sharply rejected all attempts by the German delegation to soften the terms of the truce. In fact, the conditions put forward required unconditional surrender. However, the German delegation still managed to soften the ceasefire conditions: Thus, the number of machine guns to be surrendered was reduced to 25,000, aircraft - to 1700, trucks - to 5,000. Requirements for the issuance of submarines were lifted. In the remaining paragraphs, the terms of the ceasefire remained unchanged. November 9, Wilhelm II was overthrown and fled to Holland . On November 11, 1918 , at 5 am French time, the terms of the truce were signed. The Compiegne Truce was concluded. At 11 o'clock the first shots of the artillery salute of nations were heard in 101 salvo, announcing the end of the First World War . The allies of Germany in the Fourth Union surrendered even earlier. September 29, Bulgaria capitulated, October 30 - Turkey , November 3 - Austria-Hungary .

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