Did the Germans Continue Fighting Until 11 a.m. on Armistice Day 1918?
Explore why German forces kept fighting until the 11 a.m. ceasefire on November 11, 1918, and the impact of the last-minute hostilities on Armistice Day.
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Yes, the Germans did continue fighting until the official start of the Armistice at 11 a.m. on November 11, 1918. Despite the agreement being signed earlier that morning, hostilities persisted up to the last minute, leading to casualties on both sides. This was partly because communication of the ceasefire's timing was not instantaneous across the sprawling front lines, and in some units, there was a desire to occupy advantageous positions before the ceasefire took effect.
FAQs & Answers
- Why did fighting continue after the Armistice was signed in 1918? Fighting persisted because the ceasefire was set to begin at 11 a.m., and communication delays along the front lines meant many units were unaware or chose to maintain positions until the last moment.
- How many casualties occurred on the last day of World War I? Despite the imminent ceasefire, thousands of casualties still occurred on November 11, 1918, as some troops remained engaged in combat until the official armistice time.
- What is the significance of 11 a.m. on Armistice Day? The armistice officially began at 11 a.m. on November 11, 1918, marking the end of hostilities in World War I, a moment now commemorated annually as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day.