Ep 10. WWI: Germany?s Secret Gambles

Secrets of War is a historical television show that delves into the lesser-known aspects of wars, both famous and obscure. In its second season, the show aims to uncover secrets and unknown facts about the First World War. In the tenth episode, titled "WWI: Germany's Secret Gambles," the show examines the events leading up to Germany's decision to go to war in 1914.

The episode begins by exploring the rise of Germany as a powerful nation in Europe, challenging the dominant powers of Britain and France. It then goes on to discuss the events that led up to the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria in Sarajevo in 1914, an event that triggered the First World War. The show explains how Germany saw this as an opportunity to assert its dominance in Europe and quickly mobilized its army to invade France and Belgium.

The episode then focuses on the secret gambles that Germany took during the war, which ultimately had a major impact on the outcome. The first of these gambles was the implementation of the Schlieffen Plan. This was a military strategy that aimed to defeat France quickly before turning its attention to Russia, which was also preparing for war. However, the plan relied heavily on speed and surprise, which meant that it had a high risk of failure.

The Schlieffen Plan failed to deliver the quick victory that Germany had hoped for, and the war quickly turned into a stalemate. Germany's second secret gamble was its decision to launch unrestricted submarine warfare, which aimed to cut off Britain's supply lines and force it to surrender. However, this move led to the sinking of several neutral ships, including the American passenger liner Lusitania. The sinking of the Lusitania was a turning point in the war, as it led to the entry of the United States into the conflict.

The episode also explores the impact of Germany's political decisions during the war. It discusses how the Kaiser, Wilhelm II, took on a more active role in the running of the country during the war, which led to a number of controversial decisions. For example, the Kaiser's decision to appoint Paul von Hindenburg and Erich Ludendorff as the new commanders of Germany's military forces was a significant gamble, as they had no prior military experience. However, this gamble paid off, as the two men went on to lead Germany to a series of victories on the Eastern Front.

Overall, "WWI: Germany's Secret Gambles" is an insightful and engaging episode that sheds light on some of the lesser-known aspects of the First World War. It provides a detailed account of Germany's military strategy and decision-making processes during the war, and explores the impact that these decisions had on the outcome of the conflict. Through a mix of historical footage and expert analysis, the episode offers a fascinating glimpse into one of the most significant conflicts in human history.