Depth Topic 4: Trench warfare on the Western Front Flashcards
Discuss the performance of the British Army in the Second Anglo-Boer War
At the beginning of the Second Anglo-Boer War, the Boer offensive triumphed over the British Empire’s forces in Black Week, resulting in the demotion of General Buller and noted Field Marshal Lord Roberts stepping in to replace him. Following the change in tactics and the British victory at Paardebergm the Boers retreated into the Veldt and began their commando warfare, which subsequently led to the policies of farm-burning, scorched eartyh and concentration camps implemented by the British.
What changes had been made to the army since the end of the Second Anglo-Boer War and why?
Discuss the weaponry and doctrine utilised by the British Army in 1914
The standard issue rifle for the British Army at this time was the short magazine Lee Enfield, commonly abbreviated to the SMLE, which was bolt-action and allowed a trained rifleman to fire 20-30 rounds a minute. The Vickers machine gun was also being used by the British ewhich was very similar to the German’s Maxim machine guns firing over 600 rounds a minute. As for doctrine, the British expected that the upcoming war would be one of movement as was traditional in warfare previously and would therefore require cavalry, which proved to be wrong when the conflict commenced. As the British Army at the time was dictated by the attitudes of conservatism and the persisting ‘cavalry mentality’, there was fierce opposition and resistance to the changes required for the British to adapt to the industrialised warfare that would be characteristic of the twentieth centruy from this point onward, which included that of newly developed technologies.
To what extent were the British well-prepared for the beginning of the First World War?
It can be agreed to an extent that the British were well-prepared for the beginning of the First World War due to the military reforms passed by Haldane in the years leading up to the war that readied the British Army for twentieth century warfare. For example, the creation of the BEF which would be able to act as a strike force that could be sent to any location at any given time allowed the British to come to the aid of the Belgians when thr Schlieffen Plan was underway, and the Territorial Army provided an essential reserve force which was tantamount to the British being able to stay in the war due to the number of casualties sustained before Christmas of 1914. However, because of the industrialied warfare, the preparation of the British arguably could not have adequately prepared them for the magnitude and totality of the First World War due to the use of technology which required more advanced solutions than cavalry charges and the orthodox methods used in the past to defeat an enemy force.
Explain the Naval Arms Race and how it contributed to the start of the First World War
Kaiser Wilhelm II wanted Germany to have a ‘place in the sun’ and therefore began to rapidly expand its army and navy in a way that rivalled Britain. With its Two Power Standard, Britain grew threatened by Germany’s increasing naval prowess due to Britain’s naval hegemonyas established on the Battle of Trafalgar and began to prepare themselves for conflict.
Explain the Alliance System and how it contributed to the start of the First World War
In 1907, Britain and France made a pact to aid each other should they be invaded, thus forming the ‘Triple Entente’ due to France already being allied with Russia. As a result, Germany felt surrounded by the Allied Powers, as they were known, and allied themselves with the Austrian Empire and the Ottoman Empire, known as the Central Powers.
Explain the war in the Balkans and how it contributed to the start of the First World War
Arguably the most well-known contributer to the start of the First World War, the conflicts between the Baltic regions within the Austrian Empire, particularly Serbia which was growing increasingly nationalist, sparked the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary. This acted as a direct trigger for war as the stability of the Empire came into question.
Explain German imperialism and how it contributed to the start of the First World War
German ‘Weltpolitik’, as it was known, involved the growing aggression of the nation as the Kaiser’s desire for a ‘place in the sun’ provided a major trigger for the First World War. His imperial ambitions regarding Germany’s future prosperity posed a threat to other European powers, particularly as they began their imperial expansion through methods such as the Schlieffen Plan.
Explain the rationale behind the German Schlieffen Plan
The German government knew that in the event of war, the threat would come from the West (France) and the East (Russia) as the two nations formed an alliance and, coupled with Britain’s alliance with France in 1907, would form the formidable ‘Triple Entente’. The German Army Chief of Staff, Schlieffen, who was tasked with providing a solution to this dilemma, argued that if war broke out it was vital to take out France first, then Britain and Russia would be unwilling to continue as Britain would not be able to get to Germany if France was occupied and the Russian Army would not be able to match Germany as Schlieffen estimated it would take six weeks for them to organise its large army for an attack. Therefore, he proposed that Germany attack France with 90% of its army and station 10% at the Eastern Front waiting for Russia.
State the key leaders of the British Army
General Sir John French - start of FWW up to December 1915
General Sir Douglas Haig - December 1915 to Armistice
State the number of troops possessed by the British Army and the total Allied troops
British troops: 6 million
Total Allied troops: 40 million
State the weaponry utilised by the British Army
SMLE (short magazine Lee Enfield) rifle
Vickers machine gun
Tanks (1916 onwards)
Aircraft from the RFC
State the battle strategy of the British Army
‘Cavalry mentality’ was the initial doctrine of the British Army as they believed the war would be one of mobility, and the same strategy was applied of being on the offensive, which was mostly successful.
State the objective of the war for the British Army
The objective of the British Army was to halt the Schlieffen Plan and push Germany back to their nation.
State the key leaders of the German Army
General Falkenhayn - up to late 1916
General Ludendorff (Eastern Front) - up to late 1917
General Hindenburg (Western Front) - up to late 1917
State the number of troops possessed by the German Army and the total Central Powers troops
German troops: 13 million
Total Central Powers troops: 25 million
State the weaponry utilised by the German Army
Gewcher 98 (similar to SMLE/Mauser rifle)
Maxim machine gun
Anti-tank weaponry (following initial shock of tanks)
Aircraft
State the battle strategy of the German Army
The strategy of the German Army was to execute the Schlieffen Plan, then hold the territories they gained previously.
State the objective of the war for the German Army
The objective of the German Army was to knock France out of the war with the Schlieffen Plan, leaving Britain and Russia unable to counter and become a rival imperial power in Europe.
Discuss the lines of attrition and the significance of Ypres
Explain the reason for the Race to the Sea
Why did the German Schlieffen Plan fail?
Assess the performance of the BEF in the early stages of the war
What factors contributed to the lines of attrition and the beginnings of stalemate?
Why were the German trenches superior to those of the Allies?
How far can it be argued that Sir John French deserves credit for his leadership of the BEF?
Explain the Shells Scandal and how it impacted the war
What did David Lloyd George achieve as Minister of Munitions?
Why was Sir John French replaced as leader of the BEF?
Discuss Haig’s military doctrine and the potential consequences of his strategy
Discuss the changing recruitment and the battles fought by Haldane’s Regulars
Discuss the changing recruitments and the battles fought by Haldane’s Territorial Army
Discuss the changing recruitment and the battles fought by Kitchener’s ‘New Army’
Discuss the changing recruitment and the battles fought by the Fourth Army
Why was the British artillery bombardment prior to the Battle of the Somme insufficient?
There was a lack of intelligence into how successful the bombardment was and the Germans were simply able to hide in their deep trenches. It also negated any chance for a surprise attack from the British as bombardments were a routine way of beginning an offensive, as the Germans had grown aware of. Additionally, the British did not destroy the machine guns, pill boxes nor the barbed wire, thus having little impact.
Explain the use of motorised technology at the Somme (tanks/aircraft)
A few tanks were used in the Battle of the Somme but were mostly ineffective as they were unreliable and prone to breaking down, hence why Haig has been criticised for using them on the battlefield too early. Aircraft was still in its experiemental phase similarly to the tank and was being used for aerial reconaissance and occasional machine guns onto aircraft to take out infantry. This could not have happened without the impact of the ICE, invented in 1884 originally not for warfare purposes but could be easily applied to the battlefield to make an impact.
What other issues did Britain face during the attack on the first day of the Somme?
In the first day of the Battle, there were 20,000 deaths and a total of 60,000 casualties which had a devastating impact on morale. Haig also stuck to frontal assault and has since been criticised for a lack of imagination, but given that it was his first offensive this is hard to justify due to this being standard military practise. The defender also has an advantage in the battlefield.
Why could the Somme be perceived as a success?
The Battle of the Somme did achieve its objective in ensuring Verdun was not captured by the Germans and that the French could hold them off. Additionally, it showed that Germany could not sustain the losses and casualties which amounted to 1 million from the Somme and Verdun alone. This would then eat into the manpower Germany possessed as reserves had to be pulled from industry, which would impact the production of weapons and other essential goods needed for warfare.
To what extent does Field Marshal Haig deserve his critical reputation as the ‘Butcher of the Somme’?
It is agreeable to an extent to declare that Haig as the ‘Butcher of the Somme’ due to the devastating loss of life and casualties suffered by the British in the Battle of the Somme, aounting to the most in British military history. However, it is difficult to criticise Haig’s actions due to frontal assault being standard military practise at the time, and whilst he can be considered unimaginative, the Somme was his first offensive leading the British Army and therefore this must grant him a degree of sympathy due to the highly difficult scenario he was faced with.
Explain how underground mining was used as a method of innovation by the British in an attempt to break the deadlock
Explain how gas was used as a method of innovation by the British in an attempt to break the deadlock
Explain how aircraft was used as a method of innovation by the British in an attempt to break the deadlock
Explain how tanks were used as a method of innovation by the British in an attempt to break the deadlock
Discuss the significance of the US involvement in the First World War from the 6 April 1917
Why did Haig decide to launch another offensive at Ypres?
What lessons had Haig learned from the Somme?
How did weather impact the Passchendaele Offensive?
Assess the use of combined arms in this battle
To what extent was the Passchendaele Offensive a mistake?
Discuss the arsenal available to the Allies at Amiens?
How did Haig adapt his stategy for this battle in comparison to the Somme and Passchendaele?
How did the newly formed RAF assist in the battle?
Explain the effectiveness of tanks at Amiens
Explain the tactical all-arms strategy used by the Allies at Amiens, and why it was so effective
