Certain Armenian units, however, decided to continue the battles in Transcaucasia until an allied victory was won on the French front. General Andranik, for instance, led his troops past various obstacles to reach the mountainous area of Zangezour, where he continued the resistance until November 11, 1918, when the war ended. He became the last symbol for the resistance in Transcaucasia, aiding the allied cause. 12
In northern Persia (present day Iranian Azerbaijan), the Armenian units fought alongside the Assyrians and closed the road to the Turks towards Tabriz, until January 1919. The Armenians also joined the British troops in Mesopotamia, where they continued the resistance. 13
Finally, there was an Armenian army in Baku, consisting of Armenian officers and soldiers who had returned from the German-Austrian front. Led by the great nationalist Rostom Zorian, they responsible for the defence of the oil-rich and important area until September 15, 1918.
The memoirs of General Lerondrof reveal the consequences of the long Armenian resistance in Baku for the German army, which was in desperate need of oil and fuel in the most gruelling battles against the French during June and July of 1918. 14
German and Turkish allied forces, who had gained control part of most of Transcaucasia, concentrated on reaching and conquering the oil-rich Baku as quickly as possibly, but were solidly withstood by the Armenian forces surrounding Baku. Thus Viktor Berard, in the spring of 1918, spoke of a number of battles: "On the front from the Black Sea to Mosul, not only is the future of Armenia at stake, but also the future of democracy."
Finally, when the allied victory was confirmed by the ceasefire treaty in Mudros with the Ottoman Empire on October 30, 1918, and with Germany on November 11, 1918, the Armenian nation was able to claim part of the victory, won through great sacrifice. Of all nations that fought on the side of the allies, none but the Armenians fought with such resolve under such difficult circumstances, remote as they were from the main body of the allied forces, and deserted by their Caucasian neighbours. It was the laudable effort of the nation which renewed interest in the Armenian Question.
Ironically, and unfortunately for Armenia, Turkey was the only Axis power to expand its borders (on the Armenian front) despite eventual defeat.
The French military attaché in Yerevan, Captain Pohobar, described the war effort and sacrifice made by the Armenians. "I arrived in Armenia on December 6, 1918. I and my English colleague were the first allied officers after the ceasefire treaty to arrive in Eastern Armenia… In the capital of Armenia, Yerevan, which alike the rest of the country was full of refugees dying of hunger and typhus, we were met by the Armenian government and they presented us to the forces which were led by General Nazarbekian. In the Russian manner of salute, which these mountain-dwellers made, I recognised the old Russian army from the years 1914, 1915 and 1916 which was now incarnate in the Armenians in 1918, a body which in spite of all despair tried to fight for its cause. I, who was witness to their struggle and suffering and sorrow, answered briefly to their salutes on behalf of the French government whilst thinking of the million victims which Armenia had sacrificed for the cause of the allies." 15
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