WI: Extremely virulent epidemic breaks out in trenches in 1916?

What might the implications be of a severely virulent and deadly disease (perhaps the Spanish Flu, perhaps worse) breaking out and widely spreading in the trenches during WW1 in France?
 
Lets assume just like in 1918? I guess most noticeably a faster collapse of Russia. Maybe the 1918 offensive in 1917. Then we'll see how much the American contingent mattered.
 
Total collapse of the French army, maybe the fall of the French government. It is foreseeable considering the living conditions in trenches and the poor nutrination and hygiene standards that the death toll for both sides combined could reach over 3 million.
 
Total collapse of the French army, maybe the fall of the French government. It is foreseeable considering the living conditions in trenches and the poor nutrination and hygiene standards that the death toll for both sides combined could reach over 3 million.

Probably depends on whether it's before, during, or after Verdun.
 
Total collapse of the French army, maybe the fall of the French government. It is foreseeable considering the living conditions in trenches and the poor nutrination and hygiene standards that the death toll for both sides combined could reach over 3 million.
Why just the French? The Germans weren't in top shape either.

I imagine the disease could be mostly contained to the front lines. away from the center of civilian population. Would still be devastating of course but the impact would mostly be on the actual armies
 
Could it end the war? Certainly in the west it would probably remove most of the fighting forces, so to actually continue fighting would be stupid really. Also, would it take a similar toll in the east? Sure there were few if any trenches, but the troops weren't in top condition either.
 
What might the implications be of a severely virulent and deadly disease (perhaps the Spanish Flu, perhaps worse) breaking out and widely spreading in the trenches during WW1 in France?

If it starts in the trences it will certainly reach the civilian homefront as well. It could not only end the war, it might destabilize the WW1 nations further.
 
You face the scary prospect of military police shooting "deserters" who might spread the epidemic to their home towns.
German civilians were starving by 1918, so would have been doubly vulnerable to any virus.
Worst case: the virus damages the brains of survivors so a zombie army returns home.
 
If you had a pandemic break out in 1916, it would rage across Europe. There is no way it is contained to just the front lines. One has to remember that infection control was basically nonexistent back then and health care was laughable by modern standards. Add to this extensive use of railways and it is the "black death mark 1916".
 
Does it end the war?, it hard to fight a war if you have mass desertion. Image the hit to morale to an already dejected French army. But then the Germans would not be able to press there advantage as their army would not only be hit by pandemic and have huge logistical issues but also they could very well be swamped by the general population who would be desperate for help from anyone, even the dreaded Hun.
 
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