The World's War Flashcards
Dates of Battles
1914 October: First Battle of Ypres 1915 April: Second Battle of Ypres 1916 July: Battle of the Somme 1917 November: Battle of Cambrai
What does the story of Ganga Singh reveal about the Western Front?
Weapons and new technology
Given new and unknown weapons (e.g. rifle) and not trained to use them, dynamite in a jam jar:
problems with equipment
Military Strategy
Indian troops being used to plug gaps in British lines
Treatment of troops and life on the front line
Expected to fend for himself; not issued a uniform that’s fit for purpose; almost seen as expendable?
The psychological effects of war
Feeling of alienation, lack of safety – he can’t understand his officers!
Disorientation: Paris or Persia?!
What does the story of Algerian troops reveal about the Western Front?
Weapons and new technology
First use of chlorine gas by the Germans in 1915
Military Strategy
Germans able to open a gap in the trenches, a small breakthrough in the stalemate
Treatment of troops and life on the front line
Use of dugouts as protection
No gas masks yet (1915)
The psychological effects of war
Unable to communicate what had happened – ‘scared’ and ‘suffering’ (source)
What does the story of Chinese Labourers reveal about the Western Front?
Weapons and new technology
So much work that goes unnoticed – mechanics, cleaning
Military Strategy
Preparation just as important as fighting – e.g. 110 tank-towed sledges to move equipment to battle
Treatment of troops and life on the front line
Chinese labourers were segregated
British were ‘surprised’ at the capability of the Chinese and didn’t want them at first: racial prejudices
The psychological effects of war
Disinfected and heads shaved
Segregation and alienation
What does the story of Mike Mountain Horse reveal about the Western Front?
Weapons and new technology
Use of tanks
Military Strategy
Cambrai was the first mass tank attack
Treatment of troops and life on the front line
Religions/beliefs of colonial armies not always respected or ignored
The psychological effects of war
Loss/devastation of war on families, near and far from the theatre of war
What do the stories of the ‘often forgotten armies’ reveal about the Western Front?
The story of Mike Mountain Horse reveals that the beliefs of other religions and armies were not always respected. This statement is also backed up by Chinese labourers, who were segregated, and the British were surprised when they knew what they were doing, and their capability. Moreover, they were disinfected and shaved, as though they were animals, or a problem to be fixed rather than actual people. This tells us that the Western troops were (generally) racist and did not understand other’s beliefs.
The story of the Algerian Troops states that there were no gas masks. This makes the Western front look unprepared, and not knowing the strength of the opposition. However, the story of Mike Mountain Horse says differently, and that they were very advanced, with lots of new technology and weapons available for the fight. Over all the different experiences, it states that they were left devastated, suffering, scared and shell-shocked. This shows that psychological effects of the war were not catered to as much as they should have been, and that the war was incredibly brutal, not just from the Western front, but for everyone.
