HSC WW1 Modern History Notes

15 Pages • Topic Notes • Year: Pre-2021

easons for the stalemate Schleifen Plan Germany was delayed at Mons and Liege, threatened by Russia’s quick mobilisation and a gap between armies ↓ Moltke changes Schlieffen Plan and decides to move east and not capture Paris ↓ opening in flanks and German defeated in the Battle of the Marne September 1914 ↓ Germany tried to ‘outflank’ Allied line because they both wanted control of the ports and to get around the enemy ↓ “race to the sea” - line from Switzerland to the English Channel, ending at the Battle of Ypres ↓ Stalemate Industrialisation led to better artillery and machinery ↓ Calvary charges were no longer suitable ↓ Easier to defend from behind the trenches than attack Aim: to invade/defeat France through Belgium to avoid fighting a war on two fronts. Assumptions: - they could take Paris in 6 weeks - Russia would mobilise slowly - Britain would remain neutral Failed because: -violated Belgium neutrality and brought Britain into the war -relied on surprise -faced resistance The original plan was altered by Moltke. Nature of trench warfare Weapons included: - rifles - machine guns - artillery - aircraft (mostly for reconnaissance and “dogfights”) - gas (chlorine gas, mustard gas and diphosgene) Most of the these were suited for long distance fighting so going “over the top” rarely worked because the defensive side always had the advantage. Allied and German experiences Routine Initially supposed to spend spend only 15% of time on front line but troops ended up spending 50-60 days as war of attrition continued. Quality of trenches differed based on: -how quickly it was built -permanent or temporary -nature of the ground -local weather conditions -affect from enemy bombardment German trenches were generally stronger and more complex because they saw them as long term positions. They were defensive to avoid fighting a two front war while Allied forces were offensive to protect land and ports. They were zigzagged so the entire system wasn’t doomed in an invasion. 2 I knew a simple soldier boy Who grinned at life in empty joy, Slept soundly through the lonesome dark, And whistled early with the lark. In winter trenches, cowed and glum, With crumps and lice and lack of rum, He put a bullet through his brain. No one spoke of him again. You smug-faced crowds with kindling eye Who cheer when soldier lads march by, Sneak home and pray you’ll never know The hell where youth and laughter go. Danger - constant threat of shellfire/sniper fire - gas was greatly feared ↓ Shell shock. These soldiers were seen by commanders as cowards and were punished with more frontline duties or even execution. Health - poorsanitation→dysentery→deathfrom dehydration - unappealing and unfulfilling meals due to blockades - lice infected 15% of Allied army - trench foot - 20k British cases in the first winter The poem Suicide in the Trenches by British poet, Siegfried Sassoon. - rats feeding off dead bodies - gas burnt the skin, blinded and suffocated Attempts to break the stalemate 1 . Verdun 21st Feb 1916 - 18th Dec 1916 Genera Falkenhayn/Hindenburg/Ludendorff vs General Pétain/NIvelle Aim: “Bleed the French white” Location: not of strategic value but could weaken French morale to capture the last town defeated in the Franco-Prussian war Events: Feb - German artillery bombardment - mass French retreat - Pétain ordered reinforcements, halted German advance May - General Nivelle - diphosgenegas→Germanswinning July - demands on the Eastern Front → tables turning August - Hindenburg and Ludendorff take over December - French recaptured most of their land - French took 11k prisoners in 3 days - Hindenburg ordered an end on the 18th Significance: - neither side gained anything - 378k French casualties, 337k German causalities 2. Somme 1st July 1916 - 18th Nov 1916 General Haig/Joffre Aim: wear Germany down to save Verdun and for an attack at Ypres Location: Allies wanted to attack all along the front line to overwhelm Germany Events: 3 1st July 15th September 18th November - Allies bomb the shit out of Germany - 1.5 million shells - Haig ordered they walk in formation along no man’s land - failed to destroy the trenches so British were exposed - 20k British soldiers died, 40k wounded - tank introduced - didn't help at all - Haig calls off battle Significance: - French gained, at most,12km of territory - symbol of the horrors of war

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