The Final 100 Days: November 9th, 1918 - Germany Disintegrates

The advance continued. Combined offensives along the entirety of the Western Front had German forces reeling.

Since 1915, the British Navy had enforced an embargo on Germany, depriving their people of vital imports of food, fertilizer, and other necessities of life and production. This, combined with the continuous drain of the war effort, had seen growing discontent from German citizenry concerning their quality of life and the feasibility of the ongoing war.

Naturally, the blame fell on the nation’s leadership. Support for Kaiser Wilhelm had dwindled to near nothingness by the last months of 1918. On October 29th, the “German Revolution” began. Revolutionaries proclaimed Germany a republic, and demanded the resignation of the Kaiser.

It had been clear to most that the Kaiser would have to abdicate his throne, aside from the Kaiser himself. Without his leader’s consent, German Chancellor Maximillian of Baden announced the resignation of the Kaiser on this day, November 9th, 1918.

Wilhelm only agreed to his vacating the throne after being informed that the German Army would not fight for their Emperor. Even a longstanding royalist, Paul von Hindenburg, suggested the Kaiser abdicate.

He did.

As a reshuffling of the political hierarchy went on in Germany, the Allies worked to end the war on the Western Front.

On the 3rd Canadian Divison’s front, the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry moved with astonishing haste over the open fields of Belgium. By the close of the day’s operations, the PPCLI and 49th Battalion had advanced over 8 kilometres. They were now in sight of Mons, and ended the day in the suburb of Jemappes.

The Royal Canadian Regiment and 47th Battalions would relieve the PPCLI and Fighting 49’ers through the night.

On the southern front, the 2nd Division made impressive gains. The 5th Brigade established lines 6.5 kilometres south of Mons, running northwest to link with the 3rd Division’s positions.