World War One Flashcards

1
Q

Major events leading to the outbreak of World War 1:

A

 War broke out in the Balkans in 1914.
 Germany declared war on Russia after Russia started preparing her army.
 Germany declared war on France to execute the Schlieffen Plan.
 Britain declared war on Germany when the German army invaded Belgium.
 The involvement of colonies and allies.

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2
Q

Major war fronts in Europe during World War 1:

A

 Western Front (Britain, France, and later the USA fighting Germany).
 Eastern Front (Russia fighting Germany and Austria-Hungary).
 Balkans.
 Italian Front.

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3
Q

Definition of stalemate:

A

A stalemate is a situation in which neither side in a conflict can make significant progress or gain
an advantage, resulting in a deadlock.

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4
Q

Another word for stalemate:

A

Another word for stalemate is deadlock.;

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5
Q

Cross-section of a typical front-line trench:

A

 Parapet (front wall).
 Fire step (a ledge for soldiers to stand on and fire over the parapet).
 Duckboards (flooring to prevent soldiers from standing in the mud and water).
 Sandbags (used for protection and reinforcing trenches).
 Barbed wire (to deter enemy advances).

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6
Q

The first two lines of defence in the trench:

A

Parapet and fire step.

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7
Q

Purpose of the deck board in the trench:

A

Deck boards were used to create a stable, raised platform for soldiers to walk on,
preventing them from sinking into the mud and water.

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8
Q

Purpose of the dugout in the trench:

A

Dugouts were used as shelters for soldiers to protect them from enemy fire and artillery
shells. They provided a place to rest and take cover.

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9
Q

Significance of battles like Ypres, Verdun, and the Somme:

A

These battles were significant because they were some of the bloodiest and most brutal
battles of World War I, resulting in high casualties and causing a great deal of suffering.

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10
Q

Explanation of the phrase “going over the top”:

A

“Going over the top” refers to the act of leaving the relative safety of the trench and advancing
across “no man’s land” towards the enemy’s positions, often under heavy enemy fire.

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11
Q

Battle in which South African troops fought:

A

The Battle of Delville Wood.

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12
Q

Task of the South African troops in this area:

A

They were tasked with securing and holding Delville Wood.

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13
Q

What were the South African troops faced with in this area?

A

They faced heavy artillery bombardments and limited trench-digging capabilities, leaving
them exposed to enemy fire.

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14
Q

Four reasons why South African troops were at a disadvantage during this battle:

A

 Limited trench construction.
 Artillery bombardments.
 Large number of enemy troops.
 Lack of adequate protection.

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15
Q

Advantages the British had at the Battle of Cambrai:

A

 Coordinated attack using tanks, aircraft, and infantry.
 A breakthrough was achieved initially.
 Utilized new tactics and technology.

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16
Q

Success of the Battle of Cambrai for Britain:

A

The initial breakthrough was not maintained, and the Germans recaptured the territory, so it
was not a complete success.

17
Q

Role of Black South Africans in World War 1:

A

They served in the South African Native Labour Corps and performed various roles on war
fronts.

18
Q

Division of the black South Africans joined in World War 1:

A

The South African Native Labour Corps.

19
Q

Troop ship Black South Africans set sail on:

A

SS Mendi.

20
Q

What event that occurred on the 21st of February 1917?

A

The SS Mendi was struck by another ship, the SS Darro, resulting in a tragic loss of life.

21
Q

Contribution of the time of day to the tragedy of the ship:

A

Most of the troops were sleeping below decks when the collision occurred, making it difficult
for them to evacuate.

22
Q

Another reason for the high death toll of the men on the ship:

A

The SS Darro did not remain to aid in the rescue of the troops, contributing to the loss of
life.