Strength of Emperies in World War I: British Empire vs. German Empire

Despite the commonly held belief, it is not the German Empire or the British Empire that emerged supreme in World War I. Instead, the French held the key to ultimately determining the outcome, with their strategic victories leading to the unconditional surrender of Germany.

Germany's Military Advantages

Germany boasted a significantly larger military by 1914, capable of fighting a full-scale war of attrition on two fronts. This massive military force allowed them to dedicate significant resources to both the Eastern and Western fronts. However, despite their numerical superiority, Germany's military success was often limited, particularly when compared to the British and French forces.

The British Military

From 1914 to 1915, the regular British army was undeniably the best-equipped and most highly trained in the world. Yet, their numbers were far smaller compared to Germany's conscripted Prussian model army. By late 1915, the British forces were in a dire state, fighting to merely hold the line at the Western front and suffering from high casualties. It was not until 1916, with the arrival of the more experienced British army, that they were capable of engaging effectively in major offensives such as the Battle of the Somme.

Miracles of the Marne

The most pivotal battle in halting the German advance through Belgium and towards the crucial Western front was the Battle of the Marne in 1914. This victory, primarily owing to the tenacity of the early British forces, prevented the swift end of the conflict. The French and British forces, particularly those along the Marne River, held on tenaciously, stopping the German advance from reaching Paris and securing a significant advantage for the Allies.

Simultaneous Foes

Germany faced the world's three largest military powers simultaneously during World War I: Russia, Britain, and France. Each of these empires fought valiantly to turn the tide of the war. It is worth noting that Russia succumbed to internal pressures and sought peace in 1918 through the Treaty of Brest Litovsk, which Germany concluded to the detriment of Russia.

U.S. Intervention and the Influenza Pandemic

It is also crucial to consider the significant impact of external factors, such as the involvement of the United States and the Spanish flu pandemic. By December 1917, the United States had entered the war, providing massive logistical support, particularly supplies. However, it was the Spanish flu pandemic that truly decimated Germany's military capabilities. The influenza pandemic, which lasted from 1918 to 1919 and killed an estimated 100 million people worldwide, or more than the total number of deaths by enemy fire in World War I (approximately 8.5 million), significantly weakened Germany's ability to engage in further combat.

Conclusion

The decisive factor in Germany's surrender and the ultimate outcome of World War I was not a single battle but the relentless attritional warfare and the extreme war fatigue of the German people. The combination of the Eastern Front's strategic setbacks, combined with the internal struggles and external pressures, led to the German Empire's ultimate defeat and surrender.