World War One wars Flashcards
(26 cards)
When was the battle of Verdun?
February to December 1916
What kind of battle was Verdun?
A German offensive against the french
What was the original plan of the battle of Verdun?
The aim was not to take the city but to force the French to defend it.
The German general wanted to ‘bleed France white’
What were the events of the battle of Verdun?
On 21st February, German artillery began bombing the French trenches.
The Kaiser’s eldest son, Prince Wilhelm, led an attack on the 200,000 French troops.
The French retreated, and it seemed that Verdun might fall.
The French commander, General Pétain, was determined to inflict as much damage as possible on the attacking soldiers. He ordered every available French soldier to travel to Verdun.
The fighting continued through the summer and only came to an end when the British attack at the river Somme and the Russians attacked in the east. German troops had to be transferred quickly and the French were able to advance into German territory at Verdun.
Results of the battle of Verdun
The German had fired over 23million shells and had destroyed the city of Verdun. The French had lost around 315,000 men, while the Germans had lost around 280,000. Neither side made any significant military gains.
When was the battle of Somme?
1st July to 18th November
What kind of battle was the Somme?
A British and French offensive against German forces. The largest battle on the western front, with more than 3 million men taking part.
Why was the original plan of the battle of the Somme?
Under the command of General Haig, the British planned to launch a huge attack in the German line. Haig knew there would be significant casualties but felt there was no other way to win the war. Haig saw the attack as an opportunity to relieve the pressure on the French at Verdun.
What events occurred in the battle of the Somme?
On 24th June 1916, a huge bombardment of the German trenches began.
The Germans were aware of the coming attack and had made preparations including moving their troops into bunkers behind the front lines.
When the bombing stopped, the Germans were still at full strength and ready for the attack.
On 1st July, the first wave of British soldiers went over the top.
They were told to expect no resistance but German machine guns easily wiped them out. In the first day, there were around 60,000 British casualties, including 20,000 dead.
Despite these losses, attacks continued for the next few months.
What were the results of the battle of the Somme?
Despite around 620,000 British casualties, the British and French gained a piece of land approximately 25km by 6km. The Germans lost around 500,000 men.
After the battle, Haig was widely criticised and called ‘the butcher of the Somme’. Others have argued that he had few alternatives to the plan he followed, and have pointed out that the battle helped save Verdun and seriously weakened the German army.
When was the battle of Passchendaele?
July to November 1917
What kind of battle was Passchendaele?
A battle for control of the hills to the south and east of Ypres, fought by British empire forces and French troops against the German army.
The background to the battle of Passchendaele?
In spring 1917, a number of attempts by British and French troops to break through German lines had produced mixed results. There were major gains - such as the capture of Vimy Ridge by Canadian troops - but also crises, including a mutiny by French troops.
On 7th June 1917, the British detonated explosives under a hill in Messines. British troops were then able to push the German back.
What were the events in the battle of Passchendaele?
Haig ordered British troops to continue their Ada face towards Ypres.
The attack began in 18th July with a huge artillery bombardment.
Heavy rain meant that this turned the ground into thick mud.
When the ground attack started, a large number of soldiers slipped off the boards and drowned in the mud.
Results of the battle of Passchendaele?
Within a week, the British had lost 30,000 men. In total 40,000 British empire troops were killed and over 300,000 Germans. By the time the attack had been called off, 8km had been gained.
The background to the Gallipoli campaign
Early in the war, Turkey and Russia fought each other in the Caucasus mountains region. Russian generals appealed to Britain and France for help.
Britain and France were keen to gain control of the Dardanelles because this would allow them to get supplies to Russia by water. It was also felt that an attack on turkey would distract Germany and force them to send troops to help their ally. This would remove German soldiers from other fronts.
What was the plan for Galipolli?
Winston Churchill, the head of the British navy, created the invasion.
He believed that a quick and easy victory over turkey could turn the tide of the war, as turkey’s neighbours would join Britain and defeat Austria-Hungary, leaving germany isolated and surrounded
The plan was for the navy to destroy Turkish forts in the coasts and then sail up to the capitol, Constantinople. There would be no need for ground troops.
What were the events of the Gallipoli campaign?
British and French ships attacked Turkish fought at the entrance to the Dardanelles, they took control within days.
Eighteen large battleships, supported by smaller warships and minesweepers, sailed into the Dardanelles. They were met with huge resistance and had too retreat.
It was clear that a land invasion was needed. Despite Greek generals telling the British that 150,000 soldiers were needed, Lord Kitchener only sent 70,000.
The forces were mainly ANZAC, but included some from Britain and its empire, and from France.
The Turks were ready for them with 84,000 troops waiting along the coast.
In some areas the attack was successful, but in others fighting was fierce. At Anzac coast, thousands of allied troops were wiped out with machine guns as they left their boats.
Unable to break thought, the allies were forced to dig trenches and hold their positions.
What were the results of the Galipolli campaign?
Conditions in the trenches were terrible. In the sweltering heat, food and water were often contaminated. Around 80% if soldiers contracted dysentery.
In Britain, the attack was seen as a total disaster and leaders were heavily criticised. On 12th December, 80,000 soldiers were evacuated and the idea of invasion was abandoned. It had cost 200,000 allied lives.
Turkey remained in the war and supplies could not reach the Russians. Bulgaria also joined the war on Turkey’s (and Germany’s) side.
However, the initial attack had done some damage and had prevented Turkey from helping the Germans.
What was the German plan for the battle of Jutland?
German admiral felt that the best way to defeat the British navy was to force it into the open sea.
He planned for a few German ships to act as bait in the North Sea, so the British would sail out to meet them. The rest of the German fleet would then sail up behind the British, trapping them.
What were the events of the battle of Jutland?
The plan was put into action but the British had decided German messages and knew what to expect. Despite this, a British ship was destroyed in the first 20 minutes, and three further ships were sunk even before the arrival of the full German fleet.
When the rest of the British fleet arrived from Scalia Flow, the Germans sailed north. Rather than follow, the British ships planned to attack them on their way home.
There were two more firefights before the Germans returned to their base.
What were the results of the battle of Jutland?
The Germans claimed victory based on the number of ships destroyed and casualties inflicted.
The British claimed victory because the Germans fled the site and then required substantial repairs. They also remained in harbour for the rest of the war.
What was Ludendorff’s plan?
General Ludendorff’s plan was to attack at several points along the French and Bristol lines.
A five hour artillery bombardment, known as a hurricane bombardment, would be followed by a ground attack by specially trained stormtroopers.
Ludendorff hoped that the confusion caused by the initial attack would allow for further attacks. The British would be surrounded and would surrender. The French would then also surrender, unable to continue without British support.
The events of the spring offensive
The artillery bombardmen began 21st March 1918, an area of 150 square miles was hit by one million shells in five hours. This was followed by the release of mustard gas.
The highly trained stormtroopers caused chaos in the British line, with thousands fleeing or surrendering. By the end of the first day, 20,000 British soldiers were dead, 35,000 were wounded and 21,000 were taken prisoner. The stalemate on the western front had been broken.
The advance continued for the next few weeks, with the Germans pushing 60km into British territory and taking control of the area around the river Somme.
220,000 Germans were killed and there were few reserves to replace them. The rapid advance of the storm troopers also meant that it was difficult to get supplies to them. By the end of may, the advance had slowed.
