Episode Overview
By January 1916, the conflict had reached a deadlock, claiming millions of lives without a clear victor. Austria-Hungary expanded its military to five million troops, while Germany increased its ranks to seven million. Meanwhile, Britain saw an influx of volunteers enlisting at an astonishing rate of 33,000 daily. The horrific campaign of 1916 began in Verdun, where entire communities were eradicated, resulting in over 300,000 casualties for both armies. At sea, the British and German fleets clashed in history's largest naval confrontation near Jutland, yielding heavy losses without a decisive outcome. On the Western Front, the newly formed Pals battalions launched their offensive at 7:30 AM on July 1, 1916, marking a dark chapter in British military history.