WW1 Western Front

Question 1

Why did Scots volunteer in the war?

Answer 1

Adventure, Economic Reasons, Patriotism, Martial Traditions, Peer pressure, Finished by Christmas, Pals Battalions e.g. Boys Brigade - 16th Battalion.
Hearts Football team

Question 2

Recruitment Patterns

Answer 2

• By July 1915 the average % if recruitment was 20% but in Scotland it was 24%
• By the end of Aug 1914 20,000 had volunteered just from Glasgow
• Nearly 1/2m volunteered in Sept 1914
  This decreased to 300,000 in Oct 1914

Question 3

Experience of Scots on the Western Front in Trenches

Answer 3

• Fought in trench warfare - terrible conditions e.g. lice, rats and disease
• Decreased morale and man power e.g. 300 hospitalised after 4 day stretch in trenches (just because of conditions)
• Suffered Boredom and PTSD and there was a censorship of letters
• Had to remove kilts to help with their movement
  Black Watch had longest stretch on the front line - 48 days

Question 4

Army Leader

Answer 4

Douglas Haig - Scottish - choose the huge loss of life and was hated by prime minister

Question 5

Describe Contribution in Loos, 1915

Answer 5

• 35,000 Scots and 1/3 of total dead were Scottish
• First use of Chlorine gas - unsuccessful because the wind changed direction
• Scots won 5 VCs
• Scots received stereotype of ‘Devils in Kilts’ by the Germans

Question 6

Describe Contribution in Somme, 1916

Answer 6

• 3 wholly Scottish battalions were Scottish
• 16th Battalion had 500 casualties
• On first day 19,200 dead
• 16th Royal Scots had 75% casualties
• Haig became controversial and blamed for the high number of casualties

Question 7

Describe Contribution in Arms, 1917

Answer 7

• Allies lost 158,000 and many were Scottish

- Lost 18,000 Scots