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The First World War

Jonathan Lewis

Alan Clements

The First World War: Episode 6: Breaking the Deadlock

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Episode 6

Episode 6: Breaking the Deadlock

Breaking the Deadlock

BBC Four - The First World War, Breaking the Deadlock

This part covers the battle on the Western Front from 1915-17.

Series based on the book by Hew Strachan. Part six covers the battle on the Western Front from 1915-17, a period of constant tactical evolution.

Attrition, 'lions led by donkeys', the slaughter only ceasing for a brief truce one Christmas - these are old, mistaken views of the war on the Western Front. In fact there were constant tactical evolutions, hundreds of generals died in action and some men adopted a system of 'live and let live', with countless informal local truces. The Germans tried new ideas at Verdun - 750,000 French and Germans died with little gain. After terrible failure on the Somme the British used tanks at Cambrai, but the Germans clawed back lost ground. Victory on the Western Front would go to the side that learned to consolidate success.

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Ten-part series which tells the story of the First World War as never before.

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