Jabberwalker Jabberwalker:
PublicAnimalNo9 PublicAnimalNo9:
Jabberwalker Jabberwalker:
This was a significant and important event in Canadian history. The better part of us showed what we were made of.
One interesting factoid is that this was the first time in history when an ex-colonial power (Canada) defeated a European power on European soil. Over the next 30 years, it was to happen more and more and Europe self destructed.
At least one German said they had no fear of any of the European armies. But they had a great measure of respect and fear when it came to the Canadians.
In fact, once the Canadians came under the command of General Sir Arthur Currie, they never lost a battle to the Germans and on at least two occasions, handed them asses in hat.
So, a major factor in convincing the Germans to sue for peace was the Americans, showing up by the hundreds of thousands. The Germans assumed that they would also fight like Canadians, because there is no difference between us...
... is there?
Well, the Germans never "honoured" the American troops with the nickname "Sturmtruppen" so I'm not really sure if what you suggest is the case. Germany had been hoping the US wouldn't get involved even before the Canadians showed their true capabilities on the battlefield. Even going so far as trying to get Mexico to invade the US to take back their own conquered territories to keep the US busy at home. A plan which ultimately backfired and helped convince the average American that Germany was a danger even to the US and helped push America into the war.
Keep in mind that by the time the US entered the war the German army was exhausted, and I'm pretty sure they had some idea of America's current(at the time) and potential industrial capacity.
One of Germany's major strategies, attempting to strangle Britain, failed when the depth charge was developed, allowing the Royal Navy to sink German subs faster than Germany could build them. Add to that the continued British blockade on Germany, the US no longer selling them raw materials and the introduction of hundreds of thousands of fresh US soldiers made it readily apparent that the writing was on the wall for Germany.