What was the turning point of World War I?
1 Answer
I would suggest the big German offensive "Operation Michael" in 1918 where the military, economic and political consequences led, in my opinion, to the defeat of Germany.
Explanation:
"Operation Michael" had the purpose of delivering the definite and final blow to the allied forces on the western front forcing them to sue for peace (possibly in favour of Germany).
The operation was planned by General Ludendorff and started very well taking the German troops quite near Paris and smashing the static trenched front.
The problem was that at this point the German Army was exhausted and supplies were scarce. The lengthening of the supply lines also reduced the momentum of the attack up to stop it completely quite rapidly.
Other two fact led to the failure of the strategic goals of the operation:
1) Turmoil and revolts in Germany;
2) The entering of the US forces into battle besides the Allies.
This offensive instead of causing the collapse of the Allies produced a terrible depletion in men (in particular the high skilled special troops called Storm-troopers used to smash the front line of the enemy with violent and specialized infiltration attacks) and resources (food, ammunitions and weapons already scarce due to the blockade imposed by the British fleet).
The failure to deliver the victory during this offensive increased the exasperation and desperation of the German people back home; from this point onwards the stability of the German internal political situation under the leadership of the Kaiser became quite difficult to maintain (with mutinies and revolts even in Army formations) leading, at the end, to the demise and exile of the Kaiser.
The failure of the offensive is even significant from a military point of view because from this point onwards the German Army lost the initiative and will spend the rest of the war defending only and retreating.
[Pictorial image of Storm-troopers in action]
