Mid War And Warfare Flashcards
Describe the features of the Battle of the Somme.
1 July 1916.
A week long bombardment led to Germans hiding in deep dug outs as the British crept across no mans land.
Machine guns brought 60,000 casualties.
Beaufort and Beaumont-Hamel were captured. Bad weather ended the offensive.
Why was the Battle of the Sommes used?
This was to wear down Germans with attrition.
The French had lost Verdun in Feb 1916.
Lord Kitchener had a new call for arms in 1915 and the British empire soldiers were all set to fight.
What were the developments of gas and how were these countered?!
63 types were used.
At the beginning tear gas was used by the French but this had little effect.
The Germans used gas in Oct 1914 that caused violent sneeze attacks.
Chlorine was used and urine-coated cloths could protect the allies.
Soon filter respirators were used.
Gas attacks such as mustard gas affected skin so could not be countered.
What was the purpose of gas?
To slow down those at the trenches and render them defenceless.
What was the creeping barrage?
Deep trenches protected against artillery bombardment.
Creeping barrage involved infantrymen fighting behind offensive of bombs to solve problem.
Describe the use of tanks.
Could pass barbed wire but had to have heavy armour.
By 1916, against the suggestion of the Commander of the Tank Corps, the tanks were ready and the Commander in chief, Haig, used 50 at Flers. Only 18 survived as most sank in mud. Some heated up and were slow to move.
At 1918 at the Battle of Jutland, August, 604 tanks were used to support bombs.
Describe the use of aircraft.
In Cambrai planes were used and 474 tanks caught 10,000 prisoners.
Between March and May 1917 1270 were shot down. They could observe the enemy and open fire.
Issues were that most pilots were under 25 and had 30 hours of training.
