World War 1 - 1917

Epic History's year-by-year account of World War One continues into 1917. It is the year Germany makes a desperate gamble by reintroducing unrestricted submarine warfare. They hope to knock Britain out of the war in 6 months by cutting off her food supplies, but the new policy soon leads to an American declaration of war.

Russia is engulfed in revolution, leading to the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II. A Provisional Government takes charge in Russia, vowing to continue the war. But a second Bolshevik Revolution will lead to an armistice before the end of the year.

On the Western Front, it is the year of the Battle of Arras (ending with the Canadian capture of Vimy Ridge), the much-heralded Nivelle Offensive, the Battle of Messines, and Third Ypres (Passchendaele). In November the British also launch the world's first mass tank attack at the Battle of Cambrai.

On the Italian Front, German reinforcements from the east lead to a breakthrough at the Battle of Caporetto, with Italian troops in full retreat. In the Middle East, the British win victory at Kut and occupy Baghdad, while victory at the Third Battle of Gaza allows General Allenby to lead British forces into Jerusalem before the end of the year. In the Hejaz, the Arab revolt continues, leading to the capture of Aqaba, an operation advised by the legendary TE Lawrence, 'Lawrence of Arabia'. But the Balfour Declaration, promising British support for the creation of a Jewish homeland in Palestine, seems to contradict early British promises to the Arabs regarding an independent Arab state.