How eighteen-year-old British conscripts helped decide the outcome of the Great War
In short: In the spring of 1918, the outcome of World War One remained uncertain. This documentary features rare, firsthand accounts from veterans who recall the experience of young conscripts sent to France during the conflict's final, decisive months.
As Germany launched a massive offensive in early 1918, the British military deployed eighteen-year-old conscripts to the front lines to bolster their ranks. Many of these young soldiers were captured during the German advance, enduring months of severe hardship in captivity. However, as the tide of the war shifted by the summer, these young men played a critical role in securing victory.
The documentary draws from a unique archive of one hundred interviews with veterans and their families, capturing the heroism and tragedy of the 1914-1918 period. These voices, many of which were never recorded elsewhere, provide a final, intimate perspective on the conflict before the last of these soldiers passed away.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: The Boys Sent To Fight In The Last Year Of WW1 | The Last Voices of World War One | Timeline
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