The Western Front + The Battle of Sommes Flashcards
What date and how did Germany invade France?
What happened next?
August 1914, Germany invaded France through Belgium( which crossed into France ). British and French Forces responded to this and were able to stop the Germans from moving any further into France.
What is stalemate and how did it relate to the Western Front? What is meant by No Man’s Land?
The area between enemy trenches was called No Man’s Land. Trench warfare caused a stalemate (a condition in the war in which neither side can change the front lines no matter how hard it tries) between the two sides for years
How would the armies attempt to break through the enemies’ trenches?
- Heavy artillery would bomb enemy trenches for hours or even days.
- Then they would rise out of their trenches and run across No Man’s Land
- The land was covered in mud, shell holes, and barbed wire before facing the enemies which have machine guns ready to kill :)
- The gained land was often quickly taken back by the enemy.
What is the Western Front?
A long line of trenches ran from the coast of Belgium to Switzerland.
What were the trenches?
Trenches were dug deep, long and very narrow in the ground.
What were the conditions like in the trenches?
- All sorts of pests living in the trenches including rats, lice, and frogs.
- Rain flooded the trenches causing it to get muddy, making it hard to move in battle.
- Constant moisture caused infection called trenches foot, if untreated, may have to be amputated.
- Toilets overflowed
Types of Weapons Used on the Western Front
- Long-range weapons including machine guns, heavy artillery and chemical weapons such as gas. ( All these weapons contributed to extending war).
- Each side was matched in weapons, causing a stalemate.
What was the date of the Battle of Somme?
1 July to 18 November 1916
Who fought at the Battle of the Somme?
The Allies (British and French) were on one side and the German Empire on the other. The Allies hoped to achieve a decisive victory by breaking through the German lines and capturing the strategically important town of Bapaume.
How did the Battle of Somme help the Allies?
The battle helped to wear down the German army and forced them to divert resources away from other parts of the Western Front. The battle also helped to boost Allied morale and showed that the Germans were not invincible.
What is the Battle of Somme a reminder of?
The horrors of war and the terrible cost of human life. It is also a reminder of the importance of courage, determination, and sacrifice.
