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1916
Revolution
With the fall of Serbia and the constant pounding by the Germans finally started to bear fruit as reports flew in that Russia collapsed and spiraled down into a full blown revolution, the people had enough of the harships of war brought upon them by the Tsar promising Serbia support, food shortages followed by a large scale starvation even in their largest cities. No longer would the Russian people take it, down with the Imperial rule and down with the war where the demands of the people. The Governement of Russia saw no other option then to start negotiations with the German Empire and thus they began whilst the pounding on the Eastern front continued to assure that they'll give into any demands put down by the Germans diplomats for the cease fire. They quickly gave in and signed the treaty of Brest-Litovsk which also ment the end of Romania's contribution to the war.
West!
This was what the German High Command was waiting for, being able to send all available units toward the West to give beat the French and British forces. The Austrian-Hungarian Forces did the same but their goal was to attack the other ally of the Western Entente, Italy.
Whilst the reorganization of the German Army to strike at the French and British would take some considerable amount of time and wouldn't be able to attack untill late Spring the Austrian Hungarians however immediatley established a firm foothold in North East Italy by January as the weather in Winter 1916 had been fair.
1917
Breaking through.
In January the French and British striked in Lorraine under Maurice Sarrail, a costly mistake as the by now the Germans had twice the numbers with the addition of the Veterans from the Eastern Front who just arrived.
In early March the Germans launched their first attack to recapture Thionville which has been under French control for nearly two years, whil still holding superior numbers the French and British more seems shaken by the loss of their Eastern Ally Russia. The didn't put up a determent fight and their losses where high as their retreat was a chaos in which they where cut of and mowed down by the Germans who adapted some new tactics in Trench warfare. A large number of them still resided inside the Forts but would soon be delt with.
Everything but Metz was back in Germand hands, however Metz wouldn't be the point where the breakthrough into France would take place as Hindenburg knew it would cost a great deal of men and with finding replacements for the losses becomming harder he decided to go around it from the South towards Nancy and then making a advance towards Parish by the end of Autumn before Winter sets in.
Even when the advance towards Nancy was about to begin and reports flew in that the French and British pulled out of Metz heading North towards Briey which borders Thionville leaving just a small force in Metz Hindenburg sticked to the plan and had the German army move out. This was unexpected but brought a great oppertunity as this ment there was little in the way of reinforcements that could be brought in quickly to help out Nancy.
Nivelle who was in Val du Moselle was quickly swept aside opening the road towards Nancy, once arrived in Nancy Max von Gallwitz attacking the defending forces under Lanzerac and managed to establish a foothold in the province.
In June Nancy saw a month long struggle to regain control of the Area by the French but it turned out to be a Military disaster for the French and British forces as they kept being bested by the German Army whos Morale kept going up by the gains and victories they obtained.
Now von Hindenburg felt confident that Metz could be retaken and ordered the Crownprince and his army to attack and retake the Area and deal with the forts with caution as they are still formidable obstacles when properly defended.
To make matters worse for the French, Von Bülow's army who required rail to move his big guns managed to advance from Belford all the way to Langres.
Despite this successful offensive the French and British didn't open up for negotiations as the Germans where very confident it was just a matter of time before they reach Paris and if they won't surrender before then it'll be raised to the ground. [/CENTER]