Mid To Late World War 1914-18 Flashcards
Describe use of gas during the war.
First tear gas was deployed against the Germans and by October a gas which caused violent sneezing attacks was introduced by the Germans.
In April 1915 at the Second battle of Ypres, chlorine was used and by 1917 mustard gas was introduced causing defences to be slowed.
In response urine drenched clothes were first used leading to filter respirators being developed in 1918.
The creeping barrage was introduced due to the barbed wire defences.
Describe the use of tanks during the First World War.
First deployed at Sommes to break barbed wire but more than half didn’t make the approach.
They often overheated and were easily penetrated by bullets.
Major success was found at Cambrai in November 1917 when the tanks caught 10,000 prisoners and 123 guns.
They achieved breakthrough in the 1918 offensive as well.
Describe the use of planes in the First World War.
These were slow at first and easily shot down.
Machine guns were developed in planes to bombard the enemy.
Planes were used as a form of spying and to support tanks.
Most who manned the planes were under 25 with less than 30 hours of training.
Why did the 1918 spring offensive happen?
The French morale was destroyed with mutinies in 1917 and heavy losses faced at the Third Battle of Ypres.
The 1917 Bolshevik Revolution removed the threat of the Russians.
The US troops had been reinforcing the allies since April 1917.
The allies were speaking of surrender and the British had been using a naval blockade.
describe the events at Operation Michael
On 21 March 1918. The storm troops were used with mustard gas to weaken defences. In April the Germans launched another attack in Ypres and on 23 March Haig made his ‘backs to the walls,’ orders. By May a stand at Verdun was made and the US made the Germans retreat.
Why did Operation Michael fail?
Attacks were made too quickly and supporting troops with arms and food couldn’t keep up.
By July there were 880000 casualties.
The Germans had more space to defend as a result of hasty defences and major cities were still ran by the allies.
What were German weaknesses ?
They couldn’t be supplied with as many troops as they needed - only 300,000 for the next 12 months.
British blockades created shortages in iron ore and fertilisers for weapon and agricultural production.
What were allied strengths?
Backup from the US
Foch led all of the troops for organised attacks while Haig was a good leader who maximised the use of offences.
Allies used tanks and infantry to attack trenches.
Describe the allied attacks in response to operation Michael and what they led to…
On 8 August the artillery bombardment led to aerial attacks and 30,000 Germans were captured. The Germans retreated and the Turks were looking for an armistice by September leading to turkey and Austria-Hungary both signing it by October.
On 8 August Belgium was liberated as the allies gained.
Describe events on the home front in Germany that worsened morale.
In April 1915 the naval blockade commenced reducing imports of iron ore and fertilisers and by 1917 the potato supply had run out.
From 1917-18 the influenza broke out and people were angry at the constant queueing for food. By 1918 rationing commenced.
At Kiel soldiers refused to fight the British naval blockade and the army was not sent to stop the revolt for fears they would join in.
By November 9, 1918, Kaiser abdicated and the Germans had to withdraw troops, surrender weapons and prisoners, and allow allies to enter Germany.
