2 years after the start of the war, three of the biggest battles of human history are fought simultaneously: The Russian Brusilov Offensive, the Battle of the Somme and the Battle of Verdun cause over 4,000,000 casualties. And still there is no end in sight.

Season 2 Episode 1 - The Ottoman Disaster - The Battle of Sarikamish - Week 23

The Champagne offensive is still going on the Western Front without any side gaining a decisive advantage. In the Caucasus, Enver Pasha is showing how far he's willing to go to achieve his goals. Against his military advisors’ recommendations, he decides to send more and more troops to Sarikamish. Without supplies and with temperatures constantly below -20 degrees, thousands of Ottoman soldiers freeze to death before even reaching the frontline. When the Russians finally encircle the Ottoman troops, defeat is inevitable. Air Date : 1st-Jan-2015  Read More

Season 2 Episode 2 - In Dire Straits - Russia on Austro-Hungary's Doorstep - Week 24

The Austro-Hungarian army resembles a better militia after six months into the war. The defeats against Serbia and Russia and still under siege in Galicia - the forces are in dire straits. Many casualties, especially among the officers, mean that an effective warfare is impossible. And all this while the Russians are close to entering the Hungarian plains. On another front, the Rtussians are winning the battle of Sarikamish which ends in a disaster for the Ottoman Empire. On the Western Front, each side still tries to gain a decisive advantage. Air Date : 8th-Jan-2015  Read More

Season 2 Episode 3 - Onwards! - The Western Front Of Early 1915 - Week 25

French general Joseph Joffre is stuck in a dilemma: the Champagne offensive has been going on for weeks now - without any of the expected results. Should he dig in and tolerate the enemy on French soil? Or should his soldiers continue to run up against the impenetrable German defences? Meanwhile, South African troops attack German South West Africa and in London, Winston Churchill's plan for an invasion of the Dardanelles has been approved. Air Date : 15th-Jan-2015  Read More

Season 2 Episode 4 - Zeppelins Over England - New Inventions For The Modern War - Week 26

For a decisive advantage on the Western Front, the military commanders of both sides are trying to use technological advances. And so this week, German Zeppelins are flying their first air raids on English towns. Winston Churchill is outlining his ideas for what would later become the tank. Meanwhile at the Western Front, the soldier Adolf Hitler is thinking about how this war is going to continue. Air Date : 22nd-Jan-2015  Read More

Season 2 Episode 5 - All Or Nothing - Winter Offensive In The Carpathians - Week 27

Konrad von Hötzendorf has to prevent the Russian army from entering the Hungarian plains. He starts a huge offensive in the Carpathian Mountains - in mid winter. He also wants to demonstrate his power to Italy and Romania who are considering entering the war for the Entente. Meanwhile, in the North Sea the first Battle of Dogger Bank takes place which leads to the sinking of the German ship SMS Blücher. Air Date : 29th-Jan-2015  Read More

Season 2 Episode 6 - Gas! - A New Horror On The Battlefield - Week 28

After more than 6 months of stalemate, the German Empire is playing two new cards to gain a decisive advantage. On the Eastern Front, the Germans use gas on a huge scale for the first time. While the attack fails, the foundation for gas warfare is laid. At the same time Kaiser Wilhelm II agrees to unrestricted submarine warfare – any ship can be sank at any time. Air Date : 5th-Feb-2015  Read More

Season 2 Episode 7 - Stopping Russia - Hindenburg's Final Offensive? - Week 29

This week, well over 1 million soldiers are on the advance everywhere in Europe. General Hindenburgs tries to beat the Russians once and for all at the Masurian Lakes. Austria-Hungary is fighting the Russians with German support in the Carpathian mountains and on the Western Front the Champagne offensive is still going. Air Date : 12th-Feb-2015  Read More

Season 2 Episode 8 - Hindenburg's Cunning Plan - A 2nd Tannenberg - Week 30

After more than six months of war, the first big mutiny breaks out in Singapore. The endless battles in which big powers sacrifice thousands of soldiers are leading to an organised resistance for the first time. Indian troops refuse to board a ship because they don't want to fight other muslims in the Middle East. Meanwhile, Paul von Hindenburg encircles the Russians on the Eastern Front and they almost suffer a defeat as they did in Tannenberg 1914. Air Date : 19th-Feb-2015  Read More

Season 2 Episode 9 - Prelude to Gallipoli - Naval Bombardement of the Dardanelles - Week 31

To break up the stalemate and get a decisive advantage, France and Great Britain open up yet another theatre of war in the Dardanelles. The plan is to seize the strait and open eventually open up the Bosporus in order to ship supplies to the Eastern and Balkan front. And so begins the naval bombardment of ottoman forts as prelude to a big offensive which will we know to today as Gallipoli. Air Date : 26th-Feb-2015  Read More

Season 2 Episode 10 - Playing With Fire - The First Flame Thrower - Week 32

Modern war already took place in the sky and under water but the waring nations also wanted to gain an advantage in the trenches. So this week, we see the first use of another merciless invention on the battlefield: the flame thrower. The battles on the Western Front, in the Carpathian's and near the Dardanelles continued nonetheless. Air Date : 5th-Mar-2015  Read More

Season 2 Episode 11 - The Battle of Neuve-Chapelle - Week 33

The British Expeditionary Forces are starting their first major offensive since the beginning of trench warfare. Near Neuve-Chapelle they attack the Germans and try to "bite and hold" their position. This battle will be the blueprint for future British offensives. On the Balkan, Serbia is facing a different enemy: Typhus. The catastrophic sanitary conditions enable the disease to spread across the whole country. Air Date : 12th-Mar-2015  Read More

Season 2 Episode 12 - A Slice of The Pie - Splitting Up The Middle East - Week 34

Even though the Entente offensive near Constantinople didn't really take off yet, the allied powers were already dreaming about splitting up the Ottoman Empire between themselves - and even promised territory to other nations. In the meantime, Austria-Hungary started its third offensive in the Carpathians to free the besieged army in Galicia. Air Date : 19th-Mar-2015  Read More

Season 2 Episode 13 - The Fall of Przemyśl - Changing Strategy On The Western Front - Week 35

The generals at the Western Front are slowly starting to adapt to the modern war. The battle of Neuve-Chappelle will be a blueprint for future operations and further improvements are supposed to finally bring the decisive advantage. In the meantime, after 133 days, the fortress of Przemyśl capitulates - the longest siege of World War 1. Air Date : 26th-Mar-2015  Read More

Season 2 Episode 14 - Showdown In The Dardanelles - Bulgaria Flirts With The Central Powers - Week 36

The Ottoman Navy is finally able to fend off the Russian and Royal Navies in the Dardanelles, Bulgaria is considering joining the Central Powers, Austria-Hungary is fighting off the Russians in Galicia and the German start a new offensive in the Baltics. All in one busy week of spring 1915. Air Date : 2nd-Apr-2015  Read More

Season 2 Episode 15 - The Armenian Genocide - Week 37

The leaders of the Ottoman Empire are looking for a scapegoat after their collosal defeat in the Caucasian Mountains a few month earlier. They start the systematic relocation and disarm Armenian troops among their ranks to end all calls for Armenian independence. Today's estimates place the death toll of the genocide up till 1.5 million men, women and children. Air Date : 9th-Apr-2015  Read More

Season 2 Episode 16 - Russia Fails In The Mountains - Basra Falls - Week 38

This week, generals on three different fronts show that they are not able to realise their mistakes. Basra falls to the British, the quick victory at the Dardanelles is getting more and more unlikely and the Russians are loosing their advantage in the Carpathians. But not the commanders have to pay the price for their mistakes, the soldiers have to. Air Date : 16th-Apr-2015  Read More

Season 2 Episode 17 - Gas On The Western Front - Baptism of Fire for Canada - Week 39

fter experiments on the Eastern Front, the German Army is using poison gas for the first time on the Western Front. At the beginning of the 2nd Battle of Ypres, the wind blows in a favourable direction; the wide spread use of chlorine gas has a devastating effect on the French troops. Even the Germans are surprised by it. The incredible sacrifice of the Canadian troops make it possible to defend Hill 60 in the end. Air Date : 23rd-Apr-2015  Read More

Season 2 Episode 18 - The Sea Turns Red - Landing At Gallipoli - Week 40

Completely underestimating the Ottoman army at the Dardanelles, the British commanders decide to let the ANZACs take the Gallipoli peninsular as a gateway to the Bosporus and Constantinople. After the landing in ANZAC Cove and on Z Beach one thing comes clear though: Mustafa Kemal and his troops will fight for every inch of this piece of rock. Air Date : 30th-Apr-2015  Read More

Season 2 Episode 19 - Sinking of the Lusitania - The Gorlice-Tarnów Offensive - Week 41

Ignoring the warnings and cruising carelessly slow the RMS Lusitania is hit by a torpedo of the German U-Boat U20. Almost 2000 people die during the sinking of the Lusitania. At the same time the German and Austro-Hungarian army start a combined surprise offensive in the Carpathians. The Gorlice-Tarnów Offensive is a huge success for German commander August von Mackensen. Air Date : 7th-May-2015  Read More

Season 2 Episode 20 - The German Phalanx Chases Russia - Week 42

The 2nd Battle of Ypres is still going but no side can gain a decisive advantage. The main reason on the British side is a lack of artillery ammunition. Even the delivered shells are not working correctly. But even the German supply lines are stretched thin. At the same time German South-West Africa falls to South African troops under Louis Botha. Air Date : 14th-May-2015  Read More

Season 2 Episode 21 - The Battle of San River - Winston Churchill Gets Fired - Week 43

The big success of the Gallipoli Campaign never came, thousands of soldiers died and so Winston Churchill is forced to resign. At the same time August von Mackensen is pushing back the Russians and forcing them to hide in Przemyśl fortress - the same fortress they just conquered from the Austro-Hungarians a few weeks earlier. Air Date : 21st-May-2015  Read More

Season 2 Episode 22 - The New Alpine Front - Italy Joins World War 1 - Week 44

After the defeats of Austria-Hungary against Russia, Italy is seeing her chance to grab disputed territories from them. Even though they are not prepared for a full scale war economically or militarily, the declare war against the Central Powers. So, just one month after the landing at Gallipoli, yet another front is opened in Europe. Meanwhile the Russians are still on the run from August von Mackensen and in Gallipoli the fighting stops to collect the dead. Air Date : 28th-May-2015  Read More

Season 2 Episode 23 - Artillery in World War 1 - The Key To Success - Week 45

When Przemysl falls for the 2nd time and when the British and ANZAC troops fail at Gallipoli again, one thing becomes clear: Artillery is the key for future battles. August von Mackensen had used it with great success at the Gorlice-Tarnow-Offensive and the French even diverted one million men to shell factories. Meanwhile German Zeppelins bombed London and the US sent submarines for aid. Air Date : 4th-Jun-2015  Read More

Season 2 Episode 24 - Rex Warneford Destroys A Zeppelin - Austria Digs Into the Mountains - Week 46

Reginald Warneford is important to Britain's war effort. Not just because he shot down a German zeppelin, but because he is made a hero in times when heroes are needed. He receives a Victoria Cross soon after his victory because the commanders know about the average life span of pilots in World War 1. Meanwhile, the Austro-Hungarian army digs into the alpine rocks to fend of the Italian Attackers and Gallipoli continues to be a butchery without any progress. Air Date : 11th-Jun-2015  Read More

Season 2 Episode 25 - Cavalry, Spies and Cossacks - Week 47

The war seems like a romantic novel this week: In the East the Russians are saved by Cossack Cavalry while August von Mackensen's artillery is plowing through Galicia. In the meantime, the British discover a German spy ring in London and the French gain a few miles in the west. Air Date : 18th-Jun-2015  Read More

Season 2 Episode 26 - The Austro-Hungarian Empire Strikes Back - Week 48

Just a few weeks ago Austria-Hungary's military laid in shambles. But with German support from August von Mackensen and other German generals, the tide is turning on the Eastern Front. Even Lemberg can be conquered again and the Russians are still on their Big Retreat. Air Date : 25th-Jun-2015  Read More

Season 2 Episode 27 - On the Move but going Nowhere - Optimism is Failing! - Week 49

Two months after landing in Gallipoli the fight has become a trench warfare. In Mesopotamia British troops were losing the optimism, they had felt just a few weeks ago. The change of seasons brought more heat, turning the weather from bearable to excruciating. Heat became a deadly foe. While the German crown prince Wilhelm unsuccessfully tried to break through the Western front in the Ardennes, the Austro-German force managed to drive back the Russians in the East. Air Date : 2nd-Jul-2015  Read More

Season 2 Episode 28 - Adapt or Die - The Artillery Barrage - Week 50

The Great Retreat of the Russians during the last weeks has shown one thing: Artillery is the key to success. More specifically, a new kind of artillery tactic called the artillery barrage which focuses shelling on one part of the front. August von Mackensen had actually stolen this approach from John French. The Entente tried to use it on the Western Front a few months earlier without the expected breakthrough. Air Date : 9th-Jul-2015  Read More

Season 2 Episode 29 - The Tumbling Giant - Russia's Army On The Verge Of Collapse - Week 51

The German-Austrian offensive on the Eastern Front had undone all of Russia's territorial gains in the last weeks. Lemberg had fallen and the German troops were at the gates of Warsaw. The Russian casualties were in the millions, especially equipment and officers were becoming scarce. And exactly now, the German high command (OHL) prepared an all-out offensive along the entire frontline. At the same time in Gallipoli, one failure followed the other. How long would the Entente be able to continue this exercise in butchery? Air Date : 16th-Jul-2015  Read More

Season 2 Episode 30 - Scorched Earth - Russia's retreat goes up in flames! - Week 52

This week Russia premieres her tactics of „Scorched Earth“. A new strategy of burning their own land is to avoid enemies profiting from their conquests. Russia had been retreating from the German and Austro-Hungarian armies for nearly three months now. Continuously losing huge areas of land and hundreds of thousands of men on the Eastern Front. As a consequence, millions of civilians had to flee their homes. At the same time allied troops at Gallipoli are weakened by infections and disease due to lack of hygiene and heat while Italy repeatedly failed to take out Austrian strongpoints. Air Date : 23rd-Jul-2015  Read More

Season 2 Episode 31 - Russian Roulette - Germany Helps The Bolsheviks - Week 53

After Russia's Great Retreat and the defeat on the Eastern Front, the Russian Army is demoralized and even revolution is in the air. Germany is fanning the revolutionary flames by sending Bolshevik prisoners of war back to Russia - equipped with money to support the Bolshevik cause. Meanwhile, the the war is continuing on the Western Front. Even small skirmishes are turning into atrocious battles with little gain for either side. A great offensive is not in sight. Air Date : 30th-Jul-2015  Read More