The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1919-12-13

last desperate blow. He was at the head
quarters of Prince Rupprecht arranging
the plans when the Americans brooks
through south % scissors the morning of
July IS and wrote "finisl TO his offensive.
SMASHING FEAT OF AMERICAN
While he constantly ,belittles the Ameri-
can particularly the officers-he
admits that in the fighting in the Marine
pocket, in which the Americans did the
largest share OF the attacking. 10 of his
divisions were completely broken us and
afterward he had to take out OF line for
reorganization the entire army that had
opposed them. Also he knew six days
before that the scissors attack was COM
ing and had made all preparations for it
and thought the front was sound
August S, 1918, was the black day Of
the Garman army in this war" That
was when the British and French-and a
few Americans bit off the nose of the
Amiens salest. German commanders
were caught at breakfast; seven divisions
were completely broken; retiring troops
shouted to men coming ups "Blackleg!"
and You're prolonging the war;
This defeat made Ludendorff decide.
THE war must be ended" The Kaiser
told him that after the failure of the
July offensive and after August he
knew the war could no longer be won.
August 20 was another black day" The
French had smashed his line between the
Disc and the Aisne, some of his divisions
lad failed 70 counter attack and he had
ordered a retreat to the Hindenburg line.
IN A HURRY TO GET PEACE +
He decided September d, after the New
York 9th division and the Dth division
had broken the Hindenburg line and
while the Americans were smashing To-
ward Sedan. that peace must be asked,
without "a hours delay. The situation
could only become worse he wrote
whether it would slowly or with ter
rifle speed could not be fcreseen."
Germans had prepared by the end Of
August, 1876 ia burn London and Paris
by use of q particularly effective in
cendiary bomb" but the scheme was We
toed because of the general military
situation
BY Septembe decisive help was given
ir France blythe United States. without.
which the entente long before would have
suffered a military defeat" He had TO
deceive Germany about Pershings drive
at st. Mihiel and his official report was
too favorable
The peace offer to President Wilson
was forced by a telegram from Hin
denburg to Chancellor Max, October s.
1918, saying The situation grows more
acute day by day and may at any time
compel us to take desperate measures -
BETTER A TERRIBLE END"
Angered by Wilson's demand for the
downfall Of autocracy, Dudendorff urged
the German people to fight on, but
Scheidemann told him the workmen were
saying: Better terrible end than terror
without end"
Ludendorfrs downfall was brought
about by the order issued to the army
October a. 1918, saying President Will
sons demand for the end of autocracy
sis unacceptable to us soldiers" Fright
ened by the Reichstag's anger the Kaiser
dismissed him.
The Kaiser's abdication was announced
November 9, by Prince Max the chan
eellor, "of his own initiative" and the
deposed ruler went to Holland ION the
advice given him at G. H. c." The
Crown Prince offered his unconditional
service" and it was refused by Berlin.
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