World War 1 – Germany and Spain in the crucial year 1917

Abstract

The German High Command (OHL) and the Foreign Office (Aus Amt) searched for new military strategies in an attempt to bring the war to an end after the horrendous losses of 1916. Specifically, they were horrified by the inability to advance on the Western Front – the trenches. Although the navy was blockaded in port in Kiel, they hoped that submarines could severely hamper the war effort of the Entente Powers. An important supply line was through the Mediterranean, and after losing their alliance with Italy in 1915, they saw neutral Spain as a possible base for submarine operations. Neutral Spain would also be used as part of a spy ring aimed at damaging their enemies‘ war effort. The effort of the German authorities was a combination of diplomacy and covert actions to implement their plans. Although ultimately unsuccessful, the use of submarines and spies revealed Germany‘s desperate attempt to bring the Great War a quick end in 1917.