1900- Present Flashcards
1
Q
How the infantry changed ruing this period?
A
- 65 % in 1914,
- 25% in 2015
- still the most likely to fight on ground
2
Q
What happened to cavalry during this period?
A
- 10% in 1914
- 10% in 2015 (tanks)
- tanks now lead the attack and protect the infantry and give mobile artillery support
3
Q
What happened to artillery during this period?
A
- 20% in 1914
- 10% in 2015
- bombarding the enemy is still key bit aircrafts and tanks now share this role, artillery is now more mobile , such as satellite guided missiles.
4
Q
What happened to specialist troops during this period?
A
- 5% in 1914
- 55% in 2015
- royal engineers and royal electrical and mechanical engineers , royal logistics corps and royal medical corps provide support to the front
5
Q
What happened to the size of the army during this period?
A
1899- 250000 1918- 3,500,000 1920-200,000 1945-3,300,000 1963-170,000 2020-82,000
6
Q
What are logistics?
A
Refers to the transportation of troops , supplies, ammunition and post
7
Q
The growth of bomb disposal units?
A
- early 1940s , 25 bomb disposal units were formed during the second world war
- later 1940, another 109 were created , an essential part of modern war
- 1972, remote controlled robots were developed, able to move an explosive device
- 2015, british army had about 2000 explosive ordnance disposal specialists
8
Q
What are EOD units?
A
Make munitions safe after wars are over. Most bombs are still made safe by disposal experts
9
Q
Timeline of the growth of logistics corps?
A
- 1900, army logistics badly organised
- 1914-18, scale of WW1 led improvements to army service corps
- 1939-45, second world war logistics were even more demanding
- 1993, royal army service corps joined with other army corps : royal logistics corps
- 2003, 15 % of british army , the RLC organised logistics for the invasion of iraq
10
Q
What were Haldane’s reforms of 1908?
A
- In response to boers war
- professional army :15000
- territorial force: national reserve of part time soldiers, renamed territorial army in 1920
11
Q
How army 2020 is a reform to help structure the army?
A
- ongoing review
- professional army:82000
- territorial army renamed as army reserve in 2013, 30000 part time soldiers
12
Q
How machine guns are effecting warfare during this period?
A
Were clumsy, needed teams of men to cool them down, very effective in defence , could fire 600 rounds per minute
13
Q
How tanks were effecting warfare during this period?
A
By 1918, cavalry replaced by motor vehicles , particularly tanks, which were effectively mobile artillery
14
Q
How chemical weapons effected warfare during this period?
A
146 chemical attacks in first world war using chlorine, phosgene and mustard gas; most nations have now agreed not to use chemical weapons
15
Q
How nuclear weapons effected warfare during this period?
A
In 1945 , atom bomb revolutionised the power of bombing , in the 1950s and in the 1960s, nuclear arms race, mutually assured destruction
16
Q
How aircrafts effected warfare during this period?
A
British flying corps had 63 aircraft in 1914, 22000 by 1918, they played a key role as mobile artillery , providing mobility and offense.
17
Q
How transport effected warfare?
A
Made defence less important
18
Q
How the train helped in WW1?
A
1914: germans moved troops by train for surprise attack; over two million men and 600000 horses out manoeuvre french and advance 300 km
19
Q
How motorised transport helped in WW1?
A
1918: motorised transport introduced british army has over 55000 trucks and 35000 motor cycles
20
Q
How aircrafts helped during WW2?
A
1940: aircraft parachute troops behind enemy lines: vehicles transport infantry quickly into areas seized by tanks, as with the german ‘blitzkrieg’
21
Q
How air support helped in WW2?
A
1944: air support important; allies create ‘cab rank’ system (air crafts always in sky ) allowing infantry to call quick air strikes
22
Q
Surveillance during this period?
A
from 1900 surveillance from aircrafts was introduced. In 1957, the first artificial satellites allowed surveillance from space. Military satellites are used:
- spot enemy forces and identify targets
- predict weather conditions
- photo impact of attacks
- provide communication systems
23
Q
How is surveillance techniques used now?
A
Used to guide inter continental ballistic missiles, ICBMs and bombs dropped from stealth air craft, fighter jets and drones. ‘Smart’ bombs are 10 times more accurate than conventional bombs
24
Q
What was RADAR?
A
Vital for Britain victory in the battle of Britain, in 1940. It was used as part of an early warning system to detect enemy aircrafts
25
What is 21st century guerrilla warfare?
Powerful states can use bombing and elite infantry to capture territory , but controlling it can be more difficult .
Weaker forces may use guerrilla warfare against occupying troops. Guerrillas blend in with local civilians and use hit and run raids instead of open battles . Traditional weapons and tactics are much harder to use against them , as west has found in Afghanistan and iraq
26
High tech warfare during this period?
Computerised high tech weapons are having a significant impact. Used to attack from thousands of Kms away, they are followed by infantry . Troops are supported by tanks , jets m attack helicopters and mobile artillery. Battles are coordinated via radio communication and satellite surveillance .
27
How recruitment changed during this world war one?
1914: thousands needed to replace casualties-appeal for volunteers
1916: military service act , introduces conscription for unmarried men aged 18-41, and later married men.
1918: conscription ends
28
Changes in recruitment during world war 2?
1939: national service act reintroduces conscription
1941: conscription also applies to men aged up to 51, and unmarried women aged 20-30
1943: age limit for conscripted women increased to 51.
29
Changes in recruitment in 1960s?
Return to permanent , volunteer standing army .
30
How government propaganda was used for recruitment?
Government propaganda encouraged men to enlist , but the scale of casualties put of recruits.
31
How did pals battalions help recruitment?
Were made up of local volunteers from the same community .
32
How national service helped recruitment?
Introduced in 1948, meant all men aged 17-21 had to complete 18 months military training and service followed by four years in the reserves.
33
Timeline of the recruitment of women?
1916: women worked as nurses in voluntary aid detachments behind the front line
1917-18: women were recruited into armed forces in the auxiliary corps , women's royal naval service and the women air force
1941: unmarried women aged 20-30 could be conscripted. Women's voluntary service had one million members
1944: 212000 women served in a range of uniformed military based roles
1992: women were integrated into males units
34
How many people died in ww1 and ww2?
- WW1: 10 millim
| - ww2: 15 million , 45 million civilians
35
What was Britains professional army?
Developed regular , professional army, which currently has about 85000 combatants . Including the RAF and the royal navy, the total permanent, full time force is about 150000 people.
36
What did a professional army mean ?
- pay and conditions match other careers
- high tech equipment means a high level of training and skill
- recruits sign up for at least 4 years. Basic training lasts 14 weeks. Training for specialist units takes longer
- over 80 % as officers join as graduates and train for about a year
- territorial army provides a trained reserve force.
37
What was total war?
Developments in scale and weaponry led to wars of attrition, where an enemy is worn down until it runs out of man power and resources. This gave rise to total warfare where civilians were attacked as well as enemy soldiers.
38
How recruitment during this period effected civilians?
For the first time since the medieval period, civilians were forced to take up arms , in total warfare of the 20th century. Six million britons fought and 700000 died in the first world war. About 450000 died in second world war
39
How was the home front organised?
Home guard: part time volunteer force formed in 1940 to defend against invasion. By 1941, 1.6 million civilians had joined
The civil defence: volunteers defended the country from air raids from 1941. By 1945, 1.4 million wardens served and 7000 staff had been killed in the line of duty.
Women's voluntary service: supporter the civil defence with its million volunteers from 1941
40
What does the home front refer too?
The civilians population and the preparations of country at home whose forced are fighting abroad.
41
How rationing worked on the home front?
In April 1917, britain only had a few weeks of wheat supplies left, as the germans tried to cut off food supplies. Rationing of food items was introduced in 1918, and again in January 1940
42
What happened at the blitz?
Between 1940 and 1941 , 2 million british homes were destroyed and 1.5 million civilians evacuated due to german bombing. In the major cities , air raids were a constant threat.
43
How government powers effected civilians?
Greatly expanded ruing the world wars. Defence of the realm act of 1914 allowed the government to censor information and take control of key industries . Emergency powers act of 1940 gave the government unlimited powers to act. Workers could he forced to move into job roles more vital to the war effort.
44
How air raid precautions effected civilians?
During WW2 , gas masks were issued to every civilian and air raid shelters were set up in public spaces and in family gardens . Children were evacuated from major towns and cities. Blackouts and curfews were enforced to prevent targets from being visible to bombers.
45
Unexpected benefits of warfare for civilians?
Modern warfare has also brought some unexpected benefits , for example : major medical advances due to the need to treat casualties and advancements in equality for women as they took on the same jobs as men on the home front and in the armed forces.
46
When did thousands protest for nuclear disarmament?
Central london 1958
47
How recruitment to the home front effected civilians?
During the second world war , men could opt for work in the mining industry rather than join the armed forces . Those that did were called bevin boys after the minister of labour , ernest bevin.
48
How fear of potential nuclear attack post 1945 effected civilians?
- nuclear defence booklets were issued to the public to prepare them in case of attack
- air raid sirens were regularly tested and civil defence films shown in schools and cinemas
- by 1949, two superpowers had nuclear weapons
- constant tension and rivalry until the 1970s led to increasing fears of nuclear war
49
What were attitudes like towards conscientious objectors?
-some civilians objected to conscription for moral or religious or religious reasons . They were tried by military tribunals and often imprisoned or forced to serve.
First world war: it was common for COs to be shunned , even by their own family members. Sometimes they received hate mail or white feathers , as sign of cowardice.
Second world war: COs were found alternative forms of work , sometimes not even war work. They still received hostility , and lost friends or jobs
50
Reporting in world war one?
One journalist (an army officer ) reporte from battlefield. In November 1916, five journalists allowed at front line.
51
Reporting in iraq war?
700 reporters part pf coalition forces in Iraq. Many more worked independently in the war zone. New media and communications such as television, satellite links and the internet, have revolutionised reporting , and this in turn has impacted on public attitudes.
52
How many Contentious objectors were there, forced to serve and sent to prison during world war 1?
- 16600 COs
- about 9500 forced to serve
- sent to prison about 7000
53
How many contentious objectors were there , forced to serve and sent to prison in the second world war?
- 60000 CO
- about 50000 forced to serve
- about 6000 were imprisoned
54
Reporting and public attitudes for war during this period?
In ww1 , numbers of volunteers fell as casualties figures , were reported , leading to conscription in both world wars.
Since 1945, public support for war has declined. In 2003 a million protesters marched against the war in iraq. People are more likely to oppose the human and financial costs of war.
Now strategies aim to minimalise casualties on both sides to maintain public support
55
Censorship during the first world war?
Government used censorship to hide the worst news from the public. Soldiers lettes were read and censored.
56
What was propaganda used for in this period?
Used to build support for the war and encourage men to volunteer . It often suggested that all germans were evil and had to be defeated.
57
How propaganda was used during WW2?
It was a vital tool. It avoided exaggerating victories and concentrated on the horrors of war and the need to win. Morale building posters encouraged support for the war effort . Censorship was also used . Newspapers could be shut down if they criticised the government. The BBC had a key role in informing the public and self censored .
58
How modern reporting and censorship effected attitudes in society?
New technology makes it harder for the government to control information. In 1991, the bombing of iraq was reporter before war had been officially declared to the public.
However , some information is still censored, and journalists sometimes still present a patriotic view. For example , in iraq in 2003, reports were read before publication and Iraqi civilian casualties were only reported later.
59
When was the battle of somme?
1916
60
What was the battle of somme?
An attempt to break the stalemate on the western front in ww1. It reveals the cost of total wars of attrition.
61
How long were the trenches by 1915?
Allied and german trench networks , spanned 600km , from belgium to switzerland . The trenches led to a static war of attrition.
62
What happened at the somme offensive?
1. Royal flying corps shot down german observation balloons to ensure surprise.
2. Gas attack at 40 different places along the front
3. Week long heavy artillery bombardement
4. 'Creeping' barrage of artillery led the infantry advance to clear the way
5. About 120000 infantry went over towards the german trenches.
6. First day 20000 british infantry died , and 40000 were injured or captured.
63
How long did the somme offensive go on for?
5 months
64
Did strategy change during the somme offensive?
No it stayed the same. Some generals tried smaller , targeted attacks but didn't work. Also tanks didn't work
65
What were the reasons for the outcome of somme?
- surprise was lost as artillery barrage signalled attack
- germany trenches were strong :12 lines of parallel trenches and tunnels
- power of defence, rifles, machine guns and artillery were effective
- british infantry volunteers lacked training and experience.
- british artillery barrage failed
- tanks were poorly managed , spread over wide area so limited impact.
66
What was life like in the trenches during WW1?
- boring daily routines like sentry duty and cleaning weapons
- frontline soldiers lived in dugouts
- constant wet feet led to trench feet
- winters were harsh and continuous
- bombardment meant little sleep
- dirty water and rats spread disease
- lice were common and caused trench fever
- 'shell shock' symptoms included crying, shaking , muteness and paralysis.
67
How did general Haig have a positive impact on the somme?
- pressure from government to recapture lost land so needed to attack
- wanted to pin german troops at the somme
- calculated heavy casualties would hit germany harder than allies
68
How did general haig have a negative impact on the somme?
- didn't change tactics after earlier infantry attacks were unsuccessful
- used weapons badly
- didn't listen to advice from other generals to change his tactics
69
When was the iraq war?
2003-2011
70
What happened in the iraq war?
Us and uk led coalition attacked the less developed sttae of iraq , using modern , high tech forces. A guerrilla war developed and by 2011 coalition forces were withdrawn
71
What was the high tech weaponry and surveillance techniques that the coalition used?
Strategy was 'C4IS4' , command , control,communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance . For example remote controlled drones, kept pilote themselves at a distance from the action.
72
What was the strategy for the iraq war?
Relied on shock and awe using overwhelming , advanced firepower:
- preparing the battlefield: f-117 fighters bombed Iraqi leaders while missiles were launched at bases and special forces went in
- air raids: two months of daily , targeted bombing , mostly with 'smart' weaponry.
- ground attack: 200000 ground troops captured key cities with support from aircraft , helicopters , tanks and mobile heavy artillery
73
What was new about reporting on this war?
Many reporters were embedded with special forces teams also deployed behind enemy lines and television crews reported live on bombardment
74
What aerial surveillance tactics were used ?
1. Directed by pilots from the ground via cameras , drones were used for reconnaissance and bombing missions
2. Satnet, the uk satellite network over iraq, was used to intercept iraqi communications , and to provide real time pictures of the ground and early warnings of iraqi attacks. Satellites were also used to guide smart bombs using gps
75
What was the good thing about F-117 bombers?
Undetectable by radar
76
What was britains main aircraft ruing the iraq war?
Tornado . They were used to deliver smart bombs.
77
What are paveway bombs?
Smart bombs , guided using lasers and satellite guidance
78
What are storm shadows ?
Cruise missiles launched from aircraft, guided by ground operatives using cameras installed on the missiles.
79
What were challenger tanks?
Uks main battle tanks. They have laser assisted guns , they fire eight shells a minute . On march 27th 2003, challengers destroyed 14 enemy tanks without loss. Iraqi tanks lacked power and armour to compete..
80
How long did it take for the coalition to win?
20 days , but had to withdraw 8 years later
81
Why did the coalition easily defeat the iraqi forces?
They had advanced weaponry and the Iraqis had outdated weapons such as the 1958-model t-55 tank. Iraqs air force stayed grounded rather than confront the coalition aircrafts
82
Why did the coalition forces eventually withdraw?
The high tech weapons and tactics were not effective for controlling the country after the army was defeated. Guerrilla fighters attacked coalition forces with hit and run raids, suicide attacks and improvised explosive devices(ieds). Tactics caused thousands of casualties and sapped morale. Total victory was never achieved and coalition forced were eventually withdrawn.
