Warfare Through Time 1900-present

Question 1

Was the size of armies different in 1900-present?

Answer 1

Britain still had a small, regular army during wartime which grew during major wars. However, when the army grew during war, it grew to an unprecedented size - 3.5 mil during WWI. Also, the size of the standing army has fallen back to the level it was in, in 1840.

Question 2

How has the infantry changed from 1900 to the present?

Answer 2

In 1914, they were the main army force making up 65% of the army. In 2015, the proportion of the infantry has fallen to 25%. This is due to the change in warfare making it more complex.

Question 3

How has the cavalry changed from 1900 to the present?

Answer 3

In 1914, the cavalry was used for scouting and raiding. It made up 10% of the army. The effective battlefield role of the cavalry came to an end by 1918. Tanks have taken up the role of the cavalry, of charging at enemy forces. Also, tanks also protect the infantry from attack. In 2015, tanks made up 10% of Britain’s army.

Question 4

How has the artillery changed from 1900 to the present?

Answer 4

Artillery was a key weapon. Artillerymen made up 20% of the army in 1914. Bombarding the enemy is still a key part of warfare but aircraft and tanks share this role with ground artillery, so the proportion of artillery troops in the army have fallen. In 2015, the Royal Artillery made up around 10% of the army.

Question 5

How has specialist troops changed from 1900 to the present?

Answer 5

Specialist troops were only about 5% of the army in 1914. Now 55% of the army are specialist troops, such as:

• Royal engineers (c.10%)
• Logistics corps (c.15%)
• Medical corps (c.3%)
• ETC

Question 6

What is Army Logistics?

Answer 6

This involves transporting troops: providing food, supplies and ammunitions; moving sick or wounded; and army postal communication.

Question 7

Why did the Logistics Corps grow during 1900-present?

Answer 7

The Army service corps had to supply food, forage and petrol from:
> 120,000 men, 50,000 horses and 1,000 motor vehicles in 1914
To:
> 3mil men, 500,000 horses and 90,000 motor vehicles by 1918
As a result, the ASC had 300,000 men in the army (10%) and were later named the Royal Army Service Corps. The demand increased for logistics in WW2. In 1993, the RASC merged with other army corps and was renamed the Royal Logistics Corps and formed 15% of the entire British army.

Question 8

Why did the Explosive Ordinance Disposal form?

Answer 8

During the WW2, some German bombs that were dropped on British cities failed to explode. It became clear that specialist troops would be needed to make these safe. Bomb disposal had become a huge task as 25,000 bombs were made safe in 1 year. EOD troops are still trained soldiers who specialise in bomb disposal. But the work is more varied. They also deal with land mines and improvised explosive devices. Many hi-tech robots have been created to disarm bombs.

Question 9

Describe tactics in 1900-present

Answer 9

The tactics of this century began with trenches during the Boer wars leading into WW1 were a much larger scale was held. Also the amount of variation in equipment meant that war was carried out in a more varied and random way. This becomes even more common later on in the century as fighting becomes Guerilla based with huge disproportions between the nations fighting. Also planes became a new plane upon which to fight allowing them to support land troops through suppressing fire bombing and cargo drops.

Question 10

Describe the development of surveillance in 1900-present.

Answer 10

• In the early 1900s, surveillance from aircrafts was introduced.
• In 1957, the first artificial satellites allowed surveillance from space.
• The military still use these satellites to spot enemy forces/targets, predict weather conditions, photograph attack and provide communication systems.
• They now use surveillance technology to guide inter-continental ballistic ballistic missiles (ICMBs).

Question 11

How has the machine gun developed during the 1900-present period?

Answer 11

A machine gun is an automatic weapon capable of firing bullet in very quick succession. Early machine guns weren’t very mobile, although lighter, more portable guns were developed during WW1. Today lightweight versions are used by infantry and larger guns are mounted on helicopters and tanks.

Question 12

How has tanks developed during the 1900-present period?

Answer 12

They were armour-plated vehicles, armed with machine guns. Early tanks were slow and mechanically unreliable. Tanks evolved rapidly so by WW2 they were stronger, more reliable and capable of speeds up to 40km/h. They have enabled infantry to attack against strong defensive positions. They have increased mobility to infantry. Tanks remain a important part of the army today.

Question 13

How has nuclear warfare developed during the 1900-present period?

Answer 13

Nuclear weapons produce massive explosions caused by reactions inside the nucleus of an atom. In 1945, the atom bomb revolutionises the power of bombing. In the 1950s and 60s, there was a nuclear arms race between the USA and USSR. The use of these weapons has changed warfare by making direct conflict between two countries in possession of these weapon incredibly unlikely as it would cause ‘mutually assured destruction’. Wars were still fought but these tended to be small-scale conflicts.

Question 14

How has UAVs developed during the 1900-present period?

Answer 14

UAVs (Unmanned aerial vehicles) are pilotless aircraft that can be controlled remotely. They were first introduced in 1970 and were developed to be used for surveillance, reconnaissance and raids. Experiments are being conducted to equip them with missiles. These weapons are changing warfare by removing soldiers.

Question 15

How has PGMs developed during the 1900-present period?

Answer 15

Precision-guided missiles do not follow a path of flight but are guided to their target and can change direction in flight. They can be guided by radar, heat sensors and GPS. GPS tech has made it cheaper for these missiles to be produced. They are becoming the main missiles used in warfare.

Question 16

What improved the operation of logistics?

Answer 16

• Railways
• Motorised road vehicles
• Aircraft
• Mechanical ships

Question 17

What is the impact of radar on warfare?

Answer 17

It is a key surveillance technology and is still used on surveillance and targeting guided missiles.

Question 18

How can the development of digital technology impact warfare?

Answer 18

It helped overcome the weakness of radio communication which was when enemies were able to intercept messages and learn about military preparations and movements. This is because messages can be encrypted in very complex ways which makes deciphering extremely difficult.

Question 19

How has the increase in guerrilla warfare impacted warfare?

Answer 19

It created the need for more specialised forces. Guerilla warfare is used when there is a lack of high-tech weaponry of modern state armies, instead they use tactics of ambush that exploit their greater knowledge of the local terrain. The use of PGMs are limited as the attacks are usually based in cities and it will result in unacceptably high civilian casualties.

Question 20

How were men recruited into the army during WW1?

Answer 20

> Propaganda and songs were used to encourage men to fulfil patriotic duties and to join the glorious adventure. This meant that around 2.5mil men enlisted voluntarily.
Conscription was introduced for men 18-41 as volunteer recruits were declining. At first, only single men were conscripted but then broadened to include married as well. Eventually 2.77 mil men were conscripted into the army.

Question 21

How were men recruited between the world wars?

Answer 21

Conscription ended after WW1, the size of the army was reduced considerably and recruitment returned to being voluntary.

Question 22

How were soldiers recruited during WW2?

Answer 22

Conscription was brought back and applied to a wider age group of 18-51. Over 3.5mil men were enlisted into the army predominantly buy conscription.

Question 23

How were soldiers recruited into the army after 1945?

Answer 23

Conscription still continued for a few years needed for maintaining the British Empire and backup defence in the Cold War era. This peacetime conscription was known as the National Service. This stated that men aged 17-21 were expected to serve in the army for 18 months and to remain in the reserves for 4 yrs.

Question 24

How were soldiers recruited after 1960?

Answer 24

Recruitment returned to being voluntary. Recruits are accpeted from the age of 16 and the maximum age is 33. Troops usually serve between 4-22 yrs.

Question 25

How has women’s role change in warfare during the 1900-present period?

Answer 25

During WW2, they could join the army but only for special missions - like flying aircraft, being spies, etc - and not for combat. From 1949, women were recognised as being a part of the army, serving in the Women’s Royal Army Corps, although their combat roles remained restricted until 1991 when women first served in combat alongside men. The proportion of women in the army was 9.9%. However, they were excluded from certain regiments.

Question 26

How did warfare have a direct impact on civilians during the period of 1900-present?

Answer 26

Civilian deaths increased drastically. This was due to civilians joing the army and dying in service and people dying in their homes. This is was because modern wars are much more likely to involve attacks on cities or fighting in cities.

Question 27

How did rationing affect civilians?

Answer 27

In both World Wars, both sides deliberately tried to cut off food supplies to the enemy. Rationing meant that people had less food. But in Britain this wasn’t a big problem as it was shared out fairly. However, in Germany, 750,000 civilians died from starvation.

Question 28

How did targeting cities impact civilians during the 1900-present period?

Answer 28

The targeting of cities drove civilians from their homes. During the Blitz, two million homes were destroyed in Britain and 1.5 mil mothers and children had to be evacuated.

Question 29

How did warfare reduce freedom for civilians?

Answer 29

The government banned basic activities such as purchasing binoculars, flying kites or lighting bonfires. In both World Wars, British workers could be moved from their existing job and given work in any job the government decided.

Question 30

Describe the fear of nuclear war in 1900-present.

Answer 30

By 1949, the 2 dominant superpowers - USA and the USSR - both had nuclear weapons. There was always constant tension between them, known as the Cold War. For decade after 1945, people were worried about nuclear war. In Britain, there was routine air-raid siren tests and civil defence films were shown in schools and cinemas. Fear only receded in the 1970s. The Strategic Arms Limitations treaty, 1972, began the process of reducing nuclear weapons. But with about 15,000 nuclear weapons still in existence, the fear still exists of a nuclear accident, a nuclear war or a nuclear incident involving terrorists.

Question 31

Describe the increase in war reporting during 1900-present

Answer 31

In 1900
- Reporters relied on telegraph messages and couriers

World War I

• Only one journalist was allowed onto the front line in 1914
• Colonel Swinson, army officer, code named ‘Eyewitness’
• Five selected journalists were allowed to visit the front line in 1917

By the end of the Iraq War

• War reporting is much easier
• 700 reporters were embedded amongst coalition forces
• Many more were independent, working with local communities
• Introduction of radio, film and TV makes war accessible
• Feature films, live TV and 24 hour news channels
• Newspapers went from printing the names of those dead to publishing obituaries

Question 32

What is censorship and why is it useful?

Answer 32

It means limiting the flow of information to the public. During warfare, information is often limited to keep morale high and to prevent useful information falling into the hand of the enemy. In WW1, 10,000 people were employed to read and censor soldier’s letters home.

Question 33

What does propaganda do and how was it used in 1900-present?

Answer 33

Information deliberately used to influence public opinions. In WW1, government posters boosted recruitment and films were made about the war. In WW2, a new radio station transmitted radio reports about the war. Usually it was factually accurate but it had an optimistic slant to it.

Question 34

What was warfare like at the beginning of WW1?

Answer 34

• During the beginning of WW1, in 1914, battles were fought mostly from trenches (trench warfare).
• E.g. Allied and German Trenches stretched over 600 km.
• As a result of trench warfare, each side was often at stalemate and this
  resulted in a war of attrition, where neither side was able to defeat the other.

Question 35

What was life like in the trenches? (5)

Answer 35

• Conditions were harsh in the trenches and people often feared going over the top.
• Daily routines of sentry duty and cleaning weapons were regarded as tedious.
• Stagnant water and rats spread disease which caused diarrhoea and
  dysentery.
• Cold, damp, unsanitary conditions led to trench foot.
• Shell shock was a massive problem caused by constant shelling resulting in uncontrollable weeping. Medical treatment during this period and many sufferers were treated as cowards.

Question 36

What happened at the Battle of the Somme?

Answer 36

• British General, Earl Haig planned an assault on German Trenches. His plan involved:
  > Royal Flying Corps shooting down German observation balloons, gas attacks, seven day heavy artillery bombardment on German lines.
  > 120,000 infantry left their trenches and advanced slowly towards German trenches. Barrages of artillery shells were fire ahead of them to clear the path.
  > However, German defences retaliated and slowed down attackers.
  > 20,000 British soldiers died and 40,000 were captured and wounded.
  > It continued for five months, but Haig allowed for different tactics to be used.

Question 37

What were the reasons for the outcome at the Battle of the Somme?

Answer 37

• German trenches were strong.
• Barbed wire remained intact.
• Tanks were used in effectively and had no impact.
• Artillery barrage was too weak.
• Infantry were weak and were not trained well enough.

Question 38

Describe the role of General Haig. (5)

Answer 38

Blamed for gaining little at high cost
Defence:
- Haig was ‘under pressure’ to regain land lost.
- New tactics weren’t effective so had to use old ones.
Critics:
- Failed to learn from previous attacks
- Used new weapons badly with little effect
- Ignored advice from other generals

Question 39

Summarise the Iraq War 2003

Answer 39

In 2003, a US and UK led coalition attacked the less-developed state of Iraq, using modern, high tech warfare. A guerilla war erupted and by 2011 the Coalition forces were withdrawn.

Question 40

Describe the computerised weaponry used in the Iraq war 2003

Answer 40

F-117 stealth fighter-bombers are undetectable by radar. Britain’s main aircraft was the tornado and was used to deliver smart bombs.
Paveway bombs are smart bombs, guided using lasers and satellite guidance.
Storm Shadows are cruise missiles launched from aircraft, guided by ground operatives using cameras installed on the missile.
Challenger tanks are the UK’s main battle tank. With laser assisted guns, they fire 8 shells per minute. Iraqi tanks lacked the firepower and the armour to compete

Question 41

What was the tactics of the Coalition in the Iraq war 2003?

Answer 41

The Coalition used high tech weaponry and surveillance techniques: their strategy was C4ISR - command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. For example, remote-controlled drones were used.

Question 42

Why did the Coalition win the Iraq war?

Answer 42

• Improved technology

- Better government spending