The Final 100 Days: October 25, 1918 - Armistice Terms

Though the quiet in the Canadian sector persisted, important developments were occurring both on and beyond the front lines of the Western Front.

Just to the south of the Canadian portion of the line, the Battle of the Selle wound to a close. Aimed at breaking the defences of the Hermann Position, the offensive accomplished just that. The German Armies in the sector were pushed back across the Sambre-Oise Canal, just south of Valenciennes. 

It was clear that the Central Powers had lost. Any hope of a counter-offensive aimed at breaking the Allies had dissipated. 

United States President Woodrow Wilson had made it clear to German Chancellor Maximillian of Baden that armistice terms would be dictated by the Allied Commanders - specifically, B.E.F Commander Douglas Haig, General Phillipe Petain, A.E.F Commander John Pershing, and Allied Supreme Commander Ferdinand Foch. 

However, the weight of Wilson’s words was apparent. One of the key points of armistice agreements was that of ensuring Germany would no longer have the capacity to wage war, or resume hostilities after a respite from the armistice. 

Regardless of how it would close, it was clear the war was winding down. Exhausted troops on both side’s of No Man’s Land were being sapped each and every day, by bullet or biological means. However, both sides would fight on.