Warfare - 1900-present Flashcards
(8 cards)
How was the composition of the army affected?
In the early 1900s, the main army army force was infantry with 65%. Cavalry for scouting and raiding at 10%. Artillery made 20%. Specialist units at 5%.
In the 2000s, infantry though still most common to confront enemies, makes 25%. Cavalry ceased in 1918, tanks fulfil their role making 10% of the army. Artillery makes 10%. 55% make specialist troops: engineers, logistics, special forces.
How was the size of the army affected?
Peacetime army size since 1900 has gradually grown smaller. But continues to swell up during wartime.
How was the army structured over this period?
Haldane’s structure in 1908 split the army into two.
The Regular Army, a permanent force of 150,000 ready to defend the country home or abroad.
And The Territorial Force numbering 270,000, combining reserved and part time forces who can reinforce the Regular Army in an emergency.
Structure for Army 2020 resembles this. It has the Regular Army planned to be at 82,000 professional soldiers. The Territorial Army renamed to The Army Reserve. It consists of part-time soldiers planned to be at 30,000 soldiers.
How has the development of weapons been affected at the start of the century?
1914, railways produce a war of movement, massive amount of troops and supplies were moved quickly.
Machine guns turn movement to stalemate, their powerful defensive capabilities killing all offence.
1917, more development in tanks and aircraft bring back movement. They had capabilities to burst through enemy lines when concentrated.
1939, more dynamic movement as tanks and aircraft were far more coordinated and faster through better engines and radio. Paratroopers also utilised. This set the way for blitzkreig.
1940, stalemate in the air as defence is stronger with better anti-air and surveillance. This dulled the effectiveness of aircraft.
1943, through continued particular bombing and dogfighting, stalemate was broken and allies started offensive.
How was the development of weapons affected closer to the modern day?
Nuclear weapons created MAD. This creates a modern stalemate.
Computers are now used to navigate, communicate, program, target, making modern weapons highly sophisticated since Iraq (such as autonomous drones)
Satellites are now used for surveillance since the 50s.
How was the nature of warfare affected in this period?
Total Warfare was seen in both world wars.
War of attrition was fought in the world wars. The massive power of defence prevented quick victory. The aim became to wear an opponent down creating great suffering.
Nowadays, due to the expensive nature of big wars and the threat of MAD, powerful countries choose to war with weaker, smaller ones. This is called asymmetric warfare.
Guerrilla warfare was born as a result. Weaker sides used unconventional tactics to win their wars. They rely on discretion being unorganised and ununiformed. They rely on hit and run tactics rather than big battles.
How has the impact of war upon civilians been affected?
In the world wars, in total war, civilians faced bombing such as the blitz and in Japan, faced nuclear weapons.
Civilians also contributed to the war effort at home such as The Home Guard to protect Britain in the event of an invasion. And women’s involvement in factories and the Women’s Voluntary Service helping with air raid precautions and helping bombing victims.
How was recruitment affected?
In 1914, the British relied on volunteers to fight with a million volunteering by the end of the year
In 1916, the reality of war was begun to be known and volunteers stopped coming forward. Conscription was introduced to replace casualties.
WW2 used the conscription system throughout.
After the war, national service was introduced. A scaled down conscription requiring men 18-21 to serve 18 months in training in the army. This lasted until the 60s.
In the modern day, the army functions on a professional volunteer basis. You enlist for 4 years minimum and receive a high amount of training and decent pay.
