explain the role of scots on the western front Flashcards
scots contributed greatly to the battle of loos, 1915
the batttle aimed to divert german forever and attention away from french troops and scots demonstrated great bravery - piper danial laidlaw was awarded the victoria cross after he went over top of the trench durring the battle despite gas and shell fire, playing his bagpipes to boost spirits and moral of scots soldures
many scots joined the army due to a sense of patriotism and duty
government recruitment campaigns and use of propaganda made men feel as though it was there duty to sign up
the famous poster of lord kitchener had a particular impact on scots aswell as posters of men fighting whilst warring kilts and carrying bagpipes which were aimed directly at scots
the battle of the somme became known as the graveyard of kitchener’s army’s
the battle went on for 5 months and in that time the british failed to break the german defence
McRaes batalion had the highest casualty rates at 75% of soldures
some scots enlisted in the form of a pals battalion
this was a promis that wherever possible men from the same workplace, freindship group or local area would be sent to fight together
7 scots battalions were set up as ‘pals baatalions’ and after McRaes batalion formed with hearts FC players, within just 6 days, 600 hearts supporters had volunteered
further evidence of the role of scots would be their casualty rates at the battle of loos
the casualty rates were so high because many mistakes were made wich led to the loss of the element of surprise including the release of gas when it was windy
8 scots battalions at loos had more than 500 casualty’s
further reason for the role of scots on the western front is the high level of recruitment
recruitment offices and propaganda began immediately after the outbreak of war
by the end of week one of the campaign 22,000 men from glasgow alone had signed up
the scot’s played a very important role in capturing the town of loos
it was the 15th scottish devision who managed to successfully capture the town by 8am on the 25th september 1915. this was despite effects of the gas and being met by heavy machine gun fire. as a result of scots bravery and determination - the aim of capturing the ton of loos was met
scots were heavily involved in the atacks at high wood which took place between july-september 1916
the 51st highland devision lost 3,500 men as they attacked high wood. many previous atempts to occupy high wood had been unsuccessful but from early september the ground was taken which did support further advances
