The last German offensive began on July 15th on a 50-mile front
before Rheims. It failed and was converted into an Allied victory.
Thenceforward the Allies achieved victory after victory. At every point
the enemy was forced back, Flanders was evacuated, a wedge was driven
into the Boche line at Sedan, and along the whole line from Ostend to
Switzerland the German position was so desperate that the Kaiser, faced
with disaster in the field and naval mutiny and revolution at home,
asked for an Armistice on October 6th.
Austria sued for peace on October 20th and surrendered to the Allies on
November 3rd, while Turkey, having been granted an armistice on October
30th, threw down her arms subsequently. Following the proclamation
of Bavaria as a Republic, and the renunciation of his throne by the
Duke of Brunswick, and the suspension of payment by the Berlin banks,
the Kaiser sued for peace. On November 9th he and the Crown Prince
abdicated and the armistice terms of the Allies were accepted by the
Germans two days later.