Scots on the western front

Question 1

explain why many young scots joined the army in 1914

Answer 1

• recruiting campaign started as soon as war started to persuade men to join up;
• men were urged to join through peer pressure, guilt, honour and patriotism;
  -posters played on tartan, kilts, warlike history of scottish clans
• Kitcheners campaign = huge succes

Question 2

describe life in the trenches on the western front

Answer 2

• soldiers at risk from mortar shells and sniper fire;
• fear and danger of attacks;
• noise, itching, boredom and mud;
• kilted regiments suffered rom lice in pleats of kilts;
• rotated from trenches to rest and recovery positions y following weekend and then back to trenches

Question 3

describe the effect of technology on soldiers and military tactics on the western front

Answer 3

• machines guns (not new) but could fire hundreds of bullets per minute;
• artillery destroyed soldiers;
• gas was new technology but gas masks were quickly invented. Problem was gas attacks relied on wind - could be blowback into own territory;
• tanks were used to protect
  advancing soldiers; and could cross no mans land,
• but tanks were slow, often broke down and conditions inside them were horrible;
• aircraft was used to spot enemy positions
• by end of war:
  1) radio communication had improved and integrated attacks could be organised;
  2) tanks had improved;
  3) aircraft could be used to support troops