British sector of the Western Front Flashcards
(30 cards)
What is Arras?
A town in northern France where tunnels were expanded into an underground hospital and network during WWI. It was the site of the 1917 Battle of Arras.
What is the significance of Arras in WWI?
Arras featured extensive underground tunnels used for shelter, movement, and medical care; it allowed troops to launch surprise attacks.
What is the underground hospital at Arras?
A fully equipped medical facility beneath the town with 700 beds, operating theatres, and water and electricity, allowing for safer treatment of the wounded.
What is Cambrai?
A 1917 battle site where tanks were used effectively on a large scale for the first time in warfare.
What is the importance of the Battle of Cambrai?
It demonstrated the potential of tanks in breaking through enemy lines, although gains were not held due to lack of reinforcements.
What is the outcome of the Battle of Cambrai?
Initial British success with tanks, but eventually German counterattacks pushed British forces back, making it a partial failure.
What are the parts of the trench system?
Front line trench, support trench, reserve trench, communication trench, and dugouts.
What is the front line trench?
The closest trench to the enemy, where soldiers faced the most danger and did most of the fighting.
What is the support trench?
Located behind the front line, it provided reinforcements and emergency support if the front line was attacked.
What is the reserve trench?
A safe area further back where troops could rest and be called up if needed.
What are communication trenches?
Passageways connecting different parts of the trench system for movement of soldiers, supplies, and messages.
What is a dugout?
Shelters built into the sides of trenches where soldiers could sleep or hide during bombardments.
What is Hill 60?
A man-made hill near Ypres, held by the Germans and captured by the British in 1915 using tunnel mines.
What is the significance of Hill 60?
Its height gave a strategic advantage in spotting enemy positions; its capture improved British control in the Ypres Salient.
What is tunneling at Hill 60?
British engineers dug mines under the hill and packed them with explosives, blowing it up to dislodge the Germans.
What is Ypres?
A key town in Belgium where several battles occurred to control the Ypres Salient and prevent German access to the Channel ports.
What is the significance of the Battle of Ypres?
A series of battles (especially 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Ypres) marked by heavy casualties and terrible conditions; 2nd Ypres saw the first use of poison gas.
What is the Ypres Salient?
A vulnerable bulge in the British line around Ypres, heavily fought over due to its strategic location.
What is the RAMC?
The Royal Army Medical Corps, responsible for providing medical care to wounded soldiers during WWI.
What is the role of the RAMC in WWI?
They managed first aid, evacuation, dressing stations, field hospitals, and base hospitals.
What is FANY?
First Aid Nursing Yeomanry – a voluntary female organisation that provided frontline support including driving ambulances and delivering supplies.
What did FANY do in the war?
They helped transport the wounded, ran mobile soup kitchens and medical convoys, and assisted the RAMC when needed.
What is the Thomas splint?
A medical device used to stabilise broken leg bones, drastically improving survival rates from leg injuries.
What was the impact of the Thomas splint?
Reduced mortality from compound leg fractures from over 80% to under 20% by immobilising the leg properly before surgery.
