Why did the war (WF) change from movement to attrition? Flashcards
How did the First world war start with movement?
A series of mobilisations in countries bound by treaty obligations, set in motion by the assassination in Sarajevo
When did Austria-Hungary declare war on Serbia?
28th July 1914
When did Russia mobilise to aid Serbia?
31st July 1914
What did Russia’s relative lack of railways mean for German planners?
That it would take Russia up to 30 days to ready their army of 6 million men
Why were the French fearful of being outnumbered in a war with Germany?
France had a population of 40 million and Germany had a population of 60 million
What did France’s fear of being outnumbered by Germany lead them to do?
Mobilised fast in response to the crisis
When did Germany declare war on Russia, using their mobilisation as an excuse?
1st August 1914
When did Germany declare war on France?
3rd August 1914
Why did Germany declare war on Belgium?
When they demanded to move through neutral Belgium to attack the French but the Belgians refused
When did Britain declare war on Germany?
4th August 1914 at 11pm
Why did Britain declare war on Germany?
Because they were bound by a treaty to support the Belgians
Who had initially drawn up the German attack in the west in 1905?
Alfred von Schlieffen the chief of the army General staff
What did the modified version of the Schlieffen plan by von Moltke aim to do?
Defeat France in 6 weeks, avoiding the strongest French defences further East and the fortress at Verdun to Belfort
How did the modified version of the Schlieffen plan by von Moltke plan to defeat France in 6 weeks?
Part of Germany would tie down the French along the border in Alsace Lorraine while the main German force attacked in the West through Belgium and into France to encircle Paris
What was important to modified version of the Schlieffen plan by von Moltke plan to defeat France in 6 weeks?
- Using roads and railways
- Hoped to not attack on two fronts (relying on slow Russian mobilisation)
What happened at the Battle of Tannenberg (26-30th Aug) to halt Russian movement westward?
Russians attacked within three weeks on EF but were defeated by Germans at Tannenberg
What position did the BEF take in Belgium at the start of the war?
Took a defensive position in Belgium around the town of Mons, south of Brussles
Whilst the BEF initially took a defensive position in Belgium, what were French generals planning?
A ‘Napoleonic’ surge to victory with infantry still in red and blue uniforms and cavalry in plumed helmets and breastplates
When did Germany take Brussles?
20th August 1914
What did Germany’s masterplan require the 1st army to do in the first three weeks?
For the 1st Army (on the right flank) to cover at least 15 miles a day for the first three weeks
What was wrong with the Germany master plan for the 1st Army to cover 15miles/day?
- German advance faltered
- It was too fast and the troops pushed too far ahead of their railway supply system.
- Field kitchens couldn’t keep up and men went hungry.
What did it mean for the French that they had poor communication and lack of inteligence?
They were not sure of German intentions leading to poor decision making and lost opportunities
What did it mean for the Germans that they had poor communication and a lack of intelligence?
German high command lost radio contact with its army, having only one wireless receiver resulting in poor decision making and lost opportunities
