Fighting in WW1 - topic 1 Flashcards
1
Q
Who was count Alfred von Schlieffen and what did he believe?
A
He was the head of the German army from 1891 - 1905. He believed that you should try to avoid a war on two front and quickly defeat France then turn to fight Russia.
2
Q
What was the reason of the schlieffen plan?
A
The Schlieffen plan was a plan to avoid fighting Russia and France at the same time as it would mean splitting up germanys army.
3
Q
What were the steps in the schlieffen plan?
A
1) smaller groups of Germany soldiers would travel through the more lightly defended mountainous regions in the north.
2)most troops travel through Luxembourg and Belgium to attack france as French troops would be on German border.
3)once in france sweep the south west and travel down to Paris.
4)then quickly turn to fight the Russians in the east as it would take them 6 weeks to prepare their troops.
4
Q
What were the main problems with the Schlieffen plan?
A
1)schlieffen assumed it would take Russia 6 week to prepare their troops.
2)the plan relied on them travelling through Belgium and Luxembourg. The British had a treaty with the Belgians but Germany didn’t think they would stick to a 75 year deal
3)it garenteed a war on two fronts as what if they attacked Russia but France didn’t get involved
5
Q
What were the main reasons that the schlieffen plan failed?
A
-underestimating Belgium
-Germanys assumption that britains treaty with Belgium wouldn’t be stuck to
-The assumption it would take a long time for russia to prepare its troops
6
Q
How did Belgium slow down the Germans ?
A
By using a series of huge stone forts equipped with long range powerful guns to pin the Germans back, especially at liége where they were delayed by 5 days.
7
Q
How did the BEF slow down the German army in 1914 when it was trying to invade France?
A
At the city of Mons, near the French border, Germany was pinned down by the BEF, (British expeditionary force) who, according to the Germans, were firing there rifles so quickly they thought they were under machine gun fire. The Germans didn’t expect much of a resistance by the British and thought very lowly of them. This tired Germany out and by the time they got to France they were exhausted.
8
Q
Why was Gallipoli destined to fail?
A
1) as Britain didn’t have the troops to commit to the campaign
2)under estimated opponents
3) the soldiers fighting were inexperienced and untested
4) the commanders was almost as unexperienced as the soldiers they were leading
5) weren’t prepared for the conditions
9
Q
What were the results of Gallipoli?
A
- Britain was humiliated
- Churchill resigned and reputation ruined
- over 120,000 allied casualties and over 180,000 for the Turks
- Turkey successfully defended their country
- the Russians remained short of supplies
However: - campaign diverted Turkey away from helping Germany or Austria Hungary.
- no troops died in evacuation
- a few British subs managed to get through the Dardanelles and sink some Turkish warships
- turkeys war effort was majorly affected
10
Q
What did Russia do after the invasion of Belgium?
A
It went agaisnt Germanys expecations and only took 10 days to prepare its troops and begin marching towards Germany and Austria-Hungary. This forced Germany to send 100,000 troops to fight Russia. this was now a war on two fronts - something scheifflin plan tried to avoid.
11
Q
what were the causes of the battle of marne?
A
- Failure of the Schlieffen Plan – Germany had invaded Belgium and France, aiming for a quick victory, but faced unexpected resistance from Belgium and Britain at Mons, slowing their advance.
- Overextension of German forces – The German First and Second Armies, led by General von Kluck and General von Bülow, advanced too quickly, creating gaps in their lines.
- French and British counteroffensive – French Commander-in-Chief Joseph Joffre reorganized his forces and, with the British Expeditionary Force (BEF), launched a counterattack along the River Marne.
- Weak German supply lines – Rapid advances meant German forces had stretched supply lines, leading to shortages of food, ammunition, and reinforcements.
12
Q
what were the key events of the battle of marne?
A
- French and British forces halt the German advance (5-6 September 1914) – The Allies exploited gaps in the German lines, launching a surprise counterattack along a 150-mile front.
- The “Miracle of the Marne” (7 September 1914) – The French government, fearing Paris would fall, prepared for evacuation, but reinforcements helped bolster the front.
- German retreat (9 September 1914) – Under pressure, the German First and Second Armies were forced to retreat 40 miles to the Aisne River, abandoning their hopes for a quick victory.
- Stalemate begins (10-12 September 1914) – Both sides dug defensive trenches, marking the beginning of trench warfare, which would dominate the Western Front for the next four years.
13
Q
what were the consequences of the battle of the marne?
A
- The Schlieffen Plan had failed – Germany could no longer achieve a quick victory and was now forced into a long, two-front war.
- Trench warfare began – Both sides dug extensive trench systems, leading to the war of attrition that characterized WW1.
- End of German momentum – Germany had lost the initiative on the Western Front, and the war turned into a prolonged conflict.
- High casualties – Over 500,000 soldiers were killed or wounded on both sides, showing how devastating modern warfare had become.
- Boosted Allied morale – The victory at the Marne gave hope to Britain and France, proving Germany was not unstoppable.
14
Q
What was the race to the sea?
A
By September 1914, both sides dug trenches and tried to outflank each other by moving north. This led to a series of battles, including near Ypres, where 120,000 Allied soldiers were killed or wounded. By November, the trenches stretched from the English Channel to Switzerland, marking the start of trench warfare.
15
Q
Why did the war become a stalemate?
A
After reaching the English Channel, neither side could advance. Trenches stretched over 400 miles, and for the next four years, positions barely changed. The war of movement ended, replaced by trench warfare and a prolonged deadlock.
16
Q
What happened at the Battle of Tannenberg (eastern front)?
A
From 26-30 August 1914, German commanders Ludendorff and Hindenburg defeated the Russians. Russia lost 125,000 men, while Germany lost only 13,000. Two weeks later, Russia suffered another defeat at the Masurian Lakes, losing 100,000 more troops.
17
Q
How did Russia perform on the Eastern Front?
A
The Russian Army, over one million strong, advanced into German and Austrian territory early in the war. However, they were poorly equipped and led, suffering heavy defeats against Germany but having more success against Austria-Hungary.
18
Q
What happened when Russia fought Austria-Hungary?
A
In late August, Austria-Hungary invaded Russia but retreated after facing nearly 500,000 Russian troops. They lost 100,000 men, with 220,000 wounded and 100,000 captured. The Russians advanced but were stopped by the Carpathian Mountains.
19
Q
What was the Eastern Front?
A
The Eastern Front stretched about 1,000 miles from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea. Unlike the Western Front, it was less fortified, allowing more movement, with armies sometimes advancing 50-60 miles before being pushed back.
20
Q
Why did trench warfare develop on the Western Front?
A
After both sides failed to outflank each other during the “Race to the Sea” in 1914, they dug trenches for protection. Occasional attacks were made but often failed, leading to a four-year stalemate where the front lines barely moved.
21
Q
What was the trench system like?
A
Trenches started as simple holes but developed into a complex defensive system with barbed wire, sandbags, and machine guns. There were usually three trench lines—front-line, support, and reserve—connected by communication trenches. No man’s land separated the opposing trenches.
22
Q
Why were trenches built in a zigzag pattern?
A
The zigzag design helped contain the damage from explosions and prevented enemy soldiers from firing straight down the trench if they breached it.
23
Q
How did German and Allied trenches differ?
A
German trenches were deeper and better built, as they anticipated a long war. They sometimes had underground bunkers with electricity and beds. British and French trenches were initially basic, as they expected a short war, but they improved over time.
24
Q
What made fighting in the trenches so difficult?
A
Trench warfare was hard due to harsh conditions, heavy artillery bombardments, mud, disease, and the difficulty of advancing across no man’s land under enemy fire.
25
How did attacks on enemy trenches usually happen?
1. Artillery bombarded enemy trenches, aiming to destroy defenses and create gaps in barbed wire.
2. Soldiers went 'over the top,' climbing out of their trenches and advancing across no man's land.
3. If they reached enemy trenches, they engaged in hand-to-hand combat.
## Footnote
However, these attacks rarely worked, as enemy trenches were well-built, and artillery often failed to destroy defenses. Barbed wire often became more tangled instead of being cleared.
26
What was a ‘war of attrition’?
A strategy aimed at wearing down the enemy by causing continuous losses in men, equipment, and supplies. Victory depended on which side had greater resources.
27
Why did a stalemate develop on the Western Front?
Even when attacks gained ground, the enemy often retreated to secondary trenches. Counter-attacks frequently recaptured lost territory, preventing significant progress.
28
What was the daily routine of a soldier in the trenches?
A: Soldiers rotated duties: one-third was on guard duty, another repaired trenches and gathered supplies, while the rest rested, wrote letters, played games, or cooked.
29
What was a soldier’s monthly routine in the trenches?
A: Typically, a soldier spent:
* 4 days in the front-line trenches
* 4 days in support trenches
* 8 days in reserve trenches
* The rest behind the lines in a local town
Conditions varied based on location and weather.
30
Q: What was ‘stand to’ in the trenches?
A: Soldiers woke before dawn, loaded their guns, and stayed on high alert. Dawn and dusk were the most dangerous times due to poor visibility.
31
Q: How did soldiers use humor to cope with trench life?
A: They sang rude songs, told jokes, and drew cartoons. "The Wipers Times," a satirical newspaper started by British soldiers in Ypres, mocked senior commanders and war conditions.
32
Q: What were common illnesses and health issues in the trenches?
A: Soldiers suffered from:
* Cold weather illnesses – pneumonia, bronchitis, tuberculosis
* Trench foot – caused by prolonged wet conditions, leading to swelling and sores
* Diarrhea – due to poor hygiene and contaminated food/water
33
Q: What luxuries did soldiers receive in the trenches?
A:
* Letters and parcels from home, with toiletries, tobacco, and sweets, were highly valued. Soldiers’ letters home were censored to avoid revealing army secrets or low morale.
34
Q: What were hygiene conditions like in the trenches?
A:
* Keeping clean was nearly impossible. Soldiers were infested with lice, used buckets as toilets, and struggled with rats that fed on food supplies and corpses in no man's land.
35
Q: What food did soldiers eat in the trenches?
* Meals were simple: stew, bread, and hard biscuits. Bacon, cheese, and jam were considered treats.
* Water was treated with chlorine, and British troops received rum in cold weather, while Germans drank beer and brandy.
36
Q: What was shell shock?
A:
* A mental condition caused by the trauma of war—constant fear, relentless bombings, and witnessing death.
* Symptoms included uncontrollable shaking or paralysis despite no physical injury.
37
How did scientific advancements impact weapons in World War I?
A:
* Innovations in physics, chemistry, and engineering led to deadly new weapons, including artillery, poison gas, tanks, and machine guns, all designed to kill and injure as many enemies as possible.
38
Q: What was artillery and how was it used in trench warfare?
* Large guns that fired explosive shells over long distances.
* Used to bombard enemy trenches for hours or days before an attack.
* Some shells exploded into deadly shrapnel, while others contained gas or smoke. **Artillery caused 60% of all wounds.**
39
Q: When was poison gas first used, and how effective was it?
* First used by Germany in **April 1915**, gas created a **six-kilometer gap** in the French front-line.
* However, gas was unpredictable due to wind direction.
* It became a terror weapon used by both sides, causing suffocation, blindness, and slow death.
40
Q: What weapons did individual soldiers carry in World War I?
A:
- Rifles – Lightweight, accurate up to 600 meters, firing 15–20 bullets per minute
- Bayonets – 40 cm blades attached to rifles for close combat
- Grenades – Small bombs thrown into enemy trenches
- Flamethrowers – Created walls of fire, effective in small spaces like dugouts
41
Q: How were tanks used in World War I?
* British invention, **first used in 1916**. Bulletproof, capable of crossing trenches and crushing barbed wire.
* **Britain built 2,600, France 3,900**, but **Germany only made 20** due to reliability issues.
* Tanks caused terror but were not always effective.
42
Q: Why were machine guns so deadly in World War I?
- Could fire **10 bullets per second**
- Required 2–4 crew members but were **as powerful as 100 rifles**
- Caused **40% of British casualties**
- In the first two weeks of war, 200,000 French soldiers were killed, mostly by machine guns
43
When and where was the Battle of Verdun fought?
A: Fought from 21 February to 18 December 1916 in the hills north of Verdun-sur-Meuse, northeastern France. French and colonial troops defended against a major German attack.
44
Q: Why did the Germans choose Verdun for their attack?
* Verdun had historic significance for the French and was heavily fortified with **20 major forts and 40 smaller ones.**
* German General Erich von Falkenhayn believed France would fight to the last man to defend it.
* His goal was not to capture Verdun but to **"bleed France white"** through massive casualties in a war of attrition.
45
Q: How did the German attack on Verdun begin?
* **21 February 1916**, early morning – German artillery guns began shelling French trenches, **firing two million shells in a single day**.
* By 24 February, French forces had retreated to their third line of trenches, just **8 km from Verdun.**
46
Q: Who took over French command at Verdun, and what was his strategy?
A:
* **General Philippe Pétain replaced General Joffre.**
* Issued the order "Ils ne passeront pas" ("They shall not pass").
* Sent **259 of France’s 330** infantry regiments to Verdun.
* Ensured supplies reached the front via the Sacred Way – a road used by 6,000 vehicles daily (one every 14 seconds).
47
Q: What was the pattern of fighting at Verdun?
A:
* March 6 – German forces advanced 3 km.
* April onward – The battle became a cycle of attack and counterattack.
* June – Germans captured a major fort, but this was their last success.
* July – The British Battle of the Somme forced Germany to transfer troops, weakening their attack.
* Eastern Front – A Russian attack also diverted German forces.
48
Q: What were the results of the Battle of Verdun?
A:
* Germans fired **23 million shells,** (michael jordan) destroying the city of Verdun.
* French casualties: **315,000 soldiers.**
* German casualties: **280,000 soldiers.**
* No strategic gains, but France saw itself as victorious.
49
When and where did the Battle of the Somme take place?
* Fought between **1 July and 18 November 1916.**
* Took place near the River Somme in northern France.
* British and French armies (including colonial troops) fought against German forces.
* Largest battle on the Western Front with over **three million men involved.**
* One of the bloodiest battles in history – around **one million casualties**(wounded or dead).
50
Q: What was the purpose of the Battle of the Somme?
A:
* Since summer 1915, British and French forces had been planning a major offensive to break the stalemate.
* Sir Douglas Haig, who took command in December 1915, warned of heavy losses but believed a large attack was necessary.
* After the German attack on Verdun (February 1916), the British decided to attack the Somme to draw German forces away from Verdun and relieve pressure on the French.
51
Q: Why did the artillery bombardment fail in the somme?
A:
* German spotter planes had seen British movements, so they knew an attack was coming.
* Germans hid in deep concrete dugouts, surviving the bombardment.
* 30-metre-wide bands of barbed wire remained intact, as shells lifted the wire and dropped it back down in a tangled mess.
* Poor-quality shells failed to explode.
* When the shelling stopped, Germans rushed back to their trenches and set up machine guns to wait for the attack.
51
Q: How did the battle begin in the somme?
A:
* **24 June 1916** – British and French artillery bombardment began.
* Fired **1.5 million shells over a whole week**, intended to destroy German trenches and defenses.
* The plan was for soldiers to walk across no man’s land unchallenged after the bombardment.
52
Q: What happened on the first day of the Battle of the Somme?
A:
* 1 July 1916, 7:30 AM – British soldiers went "over the top" into no man’s land.
* Soldiers were told the German trenches would be empty, so they walked slowly with heavy backpacks, expecting little resistance.
* German machine guns slaughtered the advancing troops.
* 60,000 British casualties in one day, including 20,000 dead – the worst day in British military history.
53
Q: How did the battle continue after 1 July 1916 (somme)?
A:
* Despite horrific losses, Haig continued sending men "over the top" throughout the summer.
* Tactical changes were made, including the first use of the "creeping barrage" – artillery fired just ahead of advancing troops to protect them.
* Small territorial gains were made, but the hoped-for breakthrough never happened.
54
Q: What were the results of the Battle of the Somme?
A:
* **November 1916** – With winter approaching, the battle ended.
* British and French gained a strip of land (**25 km long, 6 km wide**).
**Casualties:**
* Allies (British and French): **620,000** soldiers.
* Germany: **500,000** soldiers.
55
Q: Why was Sir Douglas Haig criticized after the battle of the somme?
A:
* Many saw him as responsible for the high number of casualties.
* Nicknamed "The Butcher of the Somme" by newspapers and politicians.
**Critics argue:**
* He misjudged the effectiveness of the artillery bombardment.
* He continued sending men into battle for months, despite minimal progress.
**However, supporters argue:**
* No general had experience with trench warfare on this scale.
* Haig's past experience was in the Boer War, where very different tactics were used.
*** The battle achieved some objectives:**
* Relieved pressure on Verdun.
* Weakened the German Army by killing hundreds of thousands of troops.
56
Q: When and where did the Battle of Passchendaele take place?
* **July to November 1917.**
* Fought in Belgium, near the city of Ypres.
* Aimed to capture hills south and east of Ypres, including the village of Passchendaele.
- Fought between:
-British and it's empire's troops (including Canadians, Australians, and New Zealanders)
-Against German forces
57
Q: Why is Passchendaele known as "the muddiest battle"?
* **Heavy rainfall** turned the battlefield into thick, deep mud.
* **Millions of artillery shell** created massive water-filled craters.
* Soldiers had to lay **wooden boards** to walk across the mud.
* Some men and horses drowned in the mud, weighed down by their equipment.
* Rotting bodies in the mud caused a **horrific stench.**
58
59
Q: What were General Haig’s goals in attacking Ypres in 1917?
* Capture **Passchendaele Ridge** for a strategic advantage.
* Advance northward to capture **Belgian ports,** used by **German submarines**.
* **America had just joined the war,** bringing fresh troops and resources.
* Russia was close to **leaving the war,** meaning Germany could focus all forces on the Western Front.
* Haig believed **"one final push"** could win the war.
60
Q: How did the battle of passchendaele unfold?
* **18 July 1917** – British began ten-day artillery bombardment, **firing 4.5 million shells.**
* **31 July 1917** – Ground attack began.
* **Mud slowed the attack** – soldiers had to carry wooden boards to move forward.
* **Within a week, Britain lost 30,000 men.**
* The British continued attacking for **three months**, slowly advancing.
* **October 1917**– Fighting reached Passchendaele village **(only 8 km gained)**.
* **November 1917 **– British captured Passchendaele, but** attacks stopped due to worsening winter weather.**
61
Q: What were the results of the Battle of Passchendaele?
* British casualties: **400,000 casualties.**
* German casualties: **300,000 casualites.**
* **Only 8 km** of land gained – no major breakthrough.
* Haig’s reputation suffered further criticism.
* After the battle, an officer visiting the battlefield said:
**"My God, did we really send men to fight in that?"**
62
Q: Why is the Battle of Passchendaele controversial?
* Huge casualties for little territorial gain.
* Horrific battlefield conditions – men drowned in mud.
* Many questioned Haig’s leadership and tactics.
* Some argue the battle weakened German forces, while others see it as a pointless slaughter.
63
Q: When did the Gallipoli Campaign take place and who was involved?
* **February 1915 – January 1916**
* Fought by British and French forces, supported by troops from their empires, including **ANZAC** (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps).
* Fought against Turkey (Ottoman Empire), allied with Germany.
64
Q: Why did Turkey join the war on Germany’s side?
* Turkey was neutral at first but joined Germany in late 1914.
* Germany promised to modernize Turkey’s army and navy.
* Turkey soon fought Russia in the Caucasus Mountains.
65
Q: Why was controlling the Dardanelles important to the Allies?
* The Dardanelles linked the Mediterranean Sea to the Black Sea, opening a supply route to Russia.
* Capturing it would allow supplies and weapons to reach Russia.
* It would distract Turkey's allies (Germany and Austria-Hungary) and possibly encourage Greece, Bulgaria, and Romania to join the Allies.
66
Q: Who came up with the Gallipoli plan, and what was the strategy?
* **Winston Churchill**, First Lord of the Admiralty (British Navy chief).
* Believed the British Navy could defeat Turkey without a large land invasion.
* Planned to sail through the Dardanelles, capture Constantinople (now Istanbul), and force Turkey to surrender.
67
Q: What were the three phases of the Gallipoli Campaign?
* Phase 1 **(19 February 1915)**: Naval attack to destroy Turkish forts at the Dardanelles' entrance.
* Phase 2 **(18 March 1915)**: Major naval assault. Mines and Turkish artillery sank three battleships, causing the fleet to retreat.
* Phase 3 (**25 April 1915**): Land invasion by **70,000 troops** (mainly ANZAC, British, French).
68
Q: What happened during the land invasion of Gallipoli?
* **25 April 1915**: Troops landed at **Cape Helles and Anzac Cove.**
* Heavy Turkish resistance, especially at Anzac Cove (high cliffs gave Turks an advantage).
* Thousands of ANZAC troops were killed as they landed.
* Allies dug trenches, creating a stalemate, similar to the Western Front.
69
Q: What were trench conditions like at Gallipoli?
* Extreme heat during summer; bitter cold in winter.
* Shortages of clean water and food.
* Disease was widespread: **80% of ANZAC troops contracted dysentery.**
* Winter brought frostbite and death from exposure.
70
What was the August Offensive at Suvla Bay? (Gallipoli)
* In **August 1915**, British landed **60,000** troops at Suvla Bay.
* Initial success but failed to break through Turkish defenses.
* Allied forces remained stuck in trenches.
71
Q: How and why did the Gallipoli Campaign end?
* Allied leadership changed: General Hamilton was replaced by **General Munro** in **October 1915.**
* Munro recommended evacuation due to worsening conditions and failure to advance.
* **Evacuation (December 1915 – January 1916)**: Over **80,000 soldiers** withdrew without a single casualty – seen as the only success of the campaign.
72
Q: What were the key outcomes of the Gallipoli Campaign?
❌ FAILURES:
* Turkey remained in the war.
* Bulgaria joined Germany, strengthening the Central Powers.
* Russia stayed isolated from Allied supplies.
* Over 200,000 Allied casualties and 300,000 Turkish casualties.
* Churchill resigned, damaging his reputation for years.
✅ ACHIEVEMENTS:
* Evacuation was successful, with no deaths.
* Diverted Turkish troops from other fronts.
* British submarines penetrated the Dardanelles, sank Turkish warships, and damaged Turkish supply lines.
73
Q: Why is the Gallipoli Campaign important in Australia and New Zealand?
* First major battle for ANZAC troops.
* **ANZAC Day (25 April)** commemorates the landings at Anzac Cove.
* Seen as a defining moment in national identity for both countries.
74
Why was control of the seas important during WW1?
1. To protect supply ships bringing vital goods (like food, oil, and weapons) into the country.
2. To block enemy supplies, starving them into surrender (blockade strategy).
75
What was the British blockade of Germany and when did it start?
In **November 1914**, Britain declared the North Sea a war zone. British ships stopped and searched vessels, confiscating cargo to prevent supplies reaching Germany.
76
What impact did the British blockade have on Germany?
* Industry suffered due to shortages of coal, oil, and steel.
* Food shortages because fertilisers couldn’t reach German farms.
* **420,000 Germans** died from starvation.
* Lack of medicines increased suffering.
* Public protests against the war as **early as 1915.**
77
Why were early naval clashes limited despite the importance of sea control?
Both sides were cautious. Battleships were expensive and vital; neither Britain nor Germany wanted to risk losing their fleets in a large battle.
78
What did Admiral Jellicoe say about the risk of naval battles?
He warned that "the war could be lost in an afternoon" if Britain’s navy was destroyed.
79
What were the key early naval battles (1914-1915)?
* **Heligoland Bight (Aug 1914)**: Britain destroyed 3 German ships.
* **Off Chile (Nov 1914)**: Germany sank 2 British ships.
* **Falkland Islands (Dec 1914)**: Britain sank 4 German ships, 2000+ Germans died.
* **Dogger Bank (Jan 1915)**: Britain sank another German ship.
80
What attacks did German ships launch on British towns in 1914?
* German warships shelled Scarborough, Hartlepool, and Whitby, **killing 137 civilians** and causing nearly **600 casualties.**
* This caused public outrage and damaged Germany’s international reputation.
81
What was the Battle of Jutland and when did it happen?
The largest sea battle of WW1, fought **31 May 1916** near Denmark.
82
What was Admiral Scheer’s plan at the Battle of Jutland?
* Use a small German fleet as bait.
* Lure out the British fleet.
* Attack them from behind with the main German fleet.
83
How did Britain find out about Germany’s plan at Jutland?
The British had captured a German code book in 1914, allowing them to intercept and decode German messages.
84
What happened during the Battle of Jutland?
* British fleet (Beatty) engaged Hipper’s bait ships.
* Heavy losses: Britain lost 14 ships and 6100 men,
* Germany lost 11 ships and 2550 men.
* Germans fled the battlefield.
* Britain maintained control of the seas and blockade
85
Who claimed victory at the Battle of Jutland?
* Germany: fewer ships lost, more British casualties.
* Britain: Germans fled, British fleet remained strong, and the blockade continued.
86
What was the result of Jutland for the German Navy?
Germany’s warships stayed in port for the rest of the war. The British blockade was unbroken.
87
How did Germany shift its naval strategy after Jutland?
Germany relied on U-boats (submarines) and unrestricted submarine warfare to attack British supply lines.
88
What was unrestricted submarine warfare?
Germany’s policy of attacking all ships (military or civilian) in British waters without warning.
89
What were British countermeasures to U-boats?
- Minefields around Britain.
- Q-ships: warships disguised as merchant ships, used to ambush U-boats.
90
What happened to the Lusitania and why was it important?
- In May 1915, a German U-boat sank the Lusitania, a British passenger liner.
- Over 1000 died, including 128 Americans.
- Increased tensions with the USA, which declared war in 1917, partly due to this.
91
What was the impact of Germany’s early U-boat campaign?
- 2 supply ships sunk per day.
- Caused shortages in Britain.
92
When did Germany launch its second U-boat campaign?
In February 1917, with 100+ U-boats, Germany resumed unrestricted submarine warfare.
93
What was the impact of the second U-boat campaign in 1917?
- 500 ships sunk in 8 weeks.
- Britain was left with only 6 weeks’ worth of food.
94
How did Britain respond to the renewed U-boat threat?
Introduced the convoy system, where supply ships sailed in groups protected by warships.
95
What methods were used to defeat U-boats?
- Depth charges: underwater bombs dropped to destroy submarines.
- Long-range aircraft to spot U-boats near the surface.
96
How effective was the convoy system?
Very effective—between July and August 1917, only 5 out of 800 supply ships were sunk.
97
How long had aeroplanes existed before WWI, and what were they first used for?
- Invented 1903, first used in war by 1911.
* Initially for reconnaissance – spotting enemy movements and directing artillery.
98
How did reconnaissance planes impact early battles?
- August 1914: Spotted German trap, likely saving 100,000 British soldiers.
* Battle of the Marne (Sept 1914): Identified a gap in German lines, leading to a major Allied counterattack.
99
How did early air combat develop in WWI?
- Initially, pilots used pistols, rifles, and even bricks.
* 1915: Machine guns fitted with interrupter gear allowed bullets to fire between propeller blades.
100
What were ‘dogfights’ and ‘aces’ in WWI?
* Dogfights: Close-range aerial battles between fighter pilots.
* Aces: Pilots with 5+ kills, used for propaganda to boost morale.
101
How did bombing tactics develop during WWI?
- Early bombing was manual, with pilots dropping bombs by hand.
* 1917: Germans introduced Gotha bombers, capable of long-range attacks.
102
What impact did Gotha bombers have on Britain?
- June 1917: 20 Gothas bombed London, killing 162 people (18 children).
* Led to panic and stronger air defenses.
103
How did Britain respond to German bombing raids?
- Developed Handley Page bombers for long-range attacks.
* 1918: Over 200 raids carried out on German territory.
104
What impact did Zeppelin raids have on Britain?
- 1915: 20 raids, 188 deaths, major psychological impact.
* Sparked fear and demand for better air defenses.
105
What were Zeppelins, and how were they used?
- Large German airships used for reconnaissance and bombing.
* Early in the war, difficult to shoot down.
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Why did Zeppelin attacks decline?
- By 1917, anti-aircraft guns and fighter planes improved.
* Airships became easy targets and suffered heavy losses.
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How did the war spread beyond Europe?
- Many involved countries had colonies worldwide.
* Fighting took place in Africa, the Middle East, and the Pacific.
* Soldiers from Australia, the Caribbean, India, and Africa fought for European powers.
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How did British and allied troops fight in the Middle East?
- British, Indian, and Australian troops fought the Turks in Egypt and the Middle East.
* They helped defend the Suez Canal and captured key cities.
* Arabs, with British support, also fought against Turkish rule.
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What was Italy’s role in the war?
- Italy joined the Allies, hoping to gain land.
* They fought Austria-Hungary but made little progress.
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What happened in the Balkans during the war?
- Bulgaria joined the war on Germany's side and helped attack Serbia.
* Britain, France, and others sent help but got stuck in Salonika (Greece).
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What happened in Africa during the war?
- British and French forces took German colonies in Africa.
* African soldiers fought for both sides, mostly under European command.
* In East Africa, German troops resisted until the end of the war.
