ENDING THE GREAT WAR |
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"I had slowly come to the fateful conclusion, and now felt bound and eager to act upon it, whatever others may say, who were not so informed as to the military situation as I was. In all the great decisions of the war, I have followed my own views and a full sense of my own responsibility. At six o'clock on the afternoon of the 28th of September, I went down the Field Marshal's room, which was one floor below mine. I explained to him my views as to a peace offer and a request for an armistice. The position could only grow worse, on account of the Balkan situation, even if we held our ground in the West. Our one task now was to act definitely and firmly, without delay. The Field Marshal listened to me with emotion. He answered that he had intended to say the same to me in the evening, that he had considered the whole situation carefully, and thought the step necessary. We were also at one in the view that the armistice conditions would have to permit a regular and orderly evacuation of the occupied territory. The Field Marshal and I parted with a firm handshake, like men who have buried their dearest hopes, and who are resolved to stay together in the hardest hours of human life as they have held together in success. E. Ludendorff, My War Memoirs 1914-1918.
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Description: A recount of the discussion between Field Marshal von Hindenburg and General Ludendorff in regards to the war efforts. Inquiry Questions:
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