revision – session 6

Revision – Revision – Session 6Session 6The First World WarThe First World War

The Schlieffen PlanThe Schlieffen Plan

The French also had a plan – Plan 17 The French also had a plan – Plan 17 which was drawn up in 1912-13. This which was drawn up in 1912-13. This was based on an attack from was based on an attack from Champagne across the German border Champagne across the German border into Alsace-Lorraineinto Alsace-Lorraine

The Schlieffen plan was drawn up in The Schlieffen plan was drawn up in 1905 by Count von Schlieffen – it was 1905 by Count von Schlieffen – it was intended to cope with a war on two intended to cope with a war on two fronts and it would win the war in the fronts and it would win the war in the west in 6 weekswest in 6 weeks


Germans thought the Russians were Germans thought the Russians were the stronger opponentthe stronger opponent

The plan was intended to knock out The plan was intended to knock out France within 6 weeksFrance within 6 weeks

The belief was that Russia would take The belief was that Russia would take 6 weeks to mobilise6 weeks to mobilise

An army of 1.5 million men would An army of 1.5 million men would advance through Belgium, swing advance through Belgium, swing around the French army and encircle around the French army and encircle ParisParis


BUT Schlieffen seems not to have taken BUT Schlieffen seems not to have taken into account the distances the army into account the distances the army had to move in the short time scalehad to move in the short time scale

It also assumed that the French would It also assumed that the French would be allowed to advance into Germany to be allowed to advance into Germany to take their attention of the German take their attention of the German advance through Belgiumadvance through Belgium

This part of the plan was changed by This part of the plan was changed by Von MoltkeVon Moltke

The Schlieffen PlanThe Schlieffen Plan Further complication was the intervention of Further complication was the intervention of

BritainBritain They were dispatched to Belgium within 3 weeksThey were dispatched to Belgium within 3 weeks In the meantime the Germans faced heavy In the meantime the Germans faced heavy

resistance in Belgium – e.g. the forts at Liege resistance in Belgium – e.g. the forts at Liege held out for 12 daysheld out for 12 days

When the British arrived they fought with the When the British arrived they fought with the Germans at Mons (23rd) and Le Cateau (26th)Germans at Mons (23rd) and Le Cateau (26th)

They were outnumbered but professional They were outnumbered but professional soliders who were well trained to fire their new soliders who were well trained to fire their new Lee Enfield Mark III riflesLee Enfield Mark III rifles

They slowed the Germans downThey slowed the Germans down

The Schlieffen PlanThe Schlieffen Plan The Russians attacked after 2 weeks The Russians attacked after 2 weeks

before the army was fully mobilisedbefore the army was fully mobilised 2 German Army Corps were sent to 2 German Army Corps were sent to

Eastern Front to deal with the attackEastern Front to deal with the attack This weakened the German force in This weakened the German force in

BelgiumBelgium Consequently, Von Kluck – Leader of the Consequently, Von Kluck – Leader of the

German First Army abandoned the plan to German First Army abandoned the plan to encircle Paris and headed southencircle Paris and headed south

There the German met the French at the There the German met the French at the Battle of the MarneBattle of the Marne

The Germans were forced to fall back as a The Germans were forced to fall back as a result of this battleresult of this battle

The Schlieffen Plan had failedThe Schlieffen Plan had failed

Deadlock on the Western Deadlock on the Western FrontFront

Late September 1914 Allied armies Late September 1914 Allied armies tried to force the Germans back at tried to force the Germans back at the Battle of the Aisne. But failedthe Battle of the Aisne. But failed

Both side began to ‘Race to the Sea’ Both side began to ‘Race to the Sea’ this was to try and gain control of the this was to try and gain control of the Channel portsChannel ports

The Race to the Sea created a The Race to the Sea created a frontline of trenches that stretched frontline of trenches that stretched from the Channel to Switzerlandfrom the Channel to Switzerland

It became clear that defence was It became clear that defence was easier than attackeasier than attack


The popular image of the trenches is one The popular image of the trenches is one of mud and death – for many this was trueof mud and death – for many this was true

The soldiers had to deal with decaying The soldiers had to deal with decaying bodies – made worse by the fact that bodies – made worse by the fact that many battles were fought over the same many battles were fought over the same stretches of groundstretches of ground

Places in the two frontlines could be as Places in the two frontlines could be as little as 15 metres apart (even the little as 15 metres apart (even the slightest movement = death) or as much slightest movement = death) or as much as 1000 metres (which for many meant as 1000 metres (which for many meant safety and even boredom)safety and even boredom)


Soldiers spent 4 Days on the Frontline Soldiers spent 4 Days on the Frontline when they were moved to support when they were moved to support trenches and reserve trenches – this trenches and reserve trenches – this cycle was then repeatedcycle was then repeated

The worst experiences were had by The worst experiences were had by the soldiers used to ‘go over the top’ the soldiers used to ‘go over the top’ at the beginning of a major battleat the beginning of a major battle

e.g. At the Somme on 1st July 1916 e.g. At the Somme on 1st July 1916 70% of the first wave of men to go 70% of the first wave of men to go over the top were killed or wounded.over the top were killed or wounded.


Many of the volunteers in the British Many of the volunteers in the British Army had joined up to a Pals Army had joined up to a Pals Battalion made up of people from Battalion made up of people from the same village or townthe same village or town

This was supposed to increase This was supposed to increase morale but when many of them were morale but when many of them were killed or wounded at the same time killed or wounded at the same time it devasted whole communities back it devasted whole communities back homehome


Deadlock meant that the two sides had to Deadlock meant that the two sides had to find ways of breaking through the enemies find ways of breaking through the enemies defencesdefences

The Germans used gas for the first time in The Germans used gas for the first time in Ypres 1915 with 9000 Allied Soldiers killedYpres 1915 with 9000 Allied Soldiers killed

Gas could be released from tanks – though Gas could be released from tanks – though this depended on the wind directionthis depended on the wind direction

Or it could be released from gas shells which Or it could be released from gas shells which broke open when they hit the groundbroke open when they hit the ground

Gas was terrifying but not the weapon to win Gas was terrifying but not the weapon to win the war – it could blow the wrong way and the war – it could blow the wrong way and attackers had to wear gas masksattackers had to wear gas masks


Another method used was mining – Another method used was mining – Special units were formed to dig under the Special units were formed to dig under the

enemy trenches and put huge mines in place enemy trenches and put huge mines in place which would destroy themwhich would destroy them

These were used at the Somme before the big These were used at the Somme before the big Allied attack in 1916Allied attack in 1916

It was a dangerous task and the Germans also It was a dangerous task and the Germans also mined under the allied trenchesmined under the allied trenches

In 1916 tanks were used for the first time by In 1916 tanks were used for the first time by the Alliesthe Allies

The Germans were terrified of themThe Germans were terrified of them But they broke down too easily and were But they broke down too easily and were

unsuccessfulunsuccessful


By 1915 there was complete By 1915 there was complete Deadlock on the Western FrontDeadlock on the Western Front

In Britain, there was a demand to In Britain, there was a demand to break this by opening up a new front break this by opening up a new front in the Eastern Mediterranean by in the Eastern Mediterranean by attacking Turkeyattacking Turkey

GallipoliGallipoli

The idea of the ‘Easterners’ led by The idea of the ‘Easterners’ led by Winston Churchill – who believed Winston Churchill – who believed that it was impossible to beat the that it was impossible to beat the Germans on the Western Front and Germans on the Western Front and that they should attack from the that they should attack from the EastEast

The plan was designed to defeat The plan was designed to defeat Turkey, then attack Austria and send Turkey, then attack Austria and send further supplies to Russiafurther supplies to Russia

GallipoliGallipoli In March 1915 the navy attempted to force In March 1915 the navy attempted to force

its way through the Dardenelles but failed its way through the Dardenelles but failed (Turkish forts and mines)(Turkish forts and mines)

The Turks were then forewarned of an attackThe Turks were then forewarned of an attack The first troops arrived at Cape Helles 24th The first troops arrived at Cape Helles 24th

April – but poor leadership meant they did April – but poor leadership meant they did not progress inlandnot progress inland

A second wave of troops arrived at Anzac A second wave of troops arrived at Anzac Cove 25th April – but that was the wrong Cove 25th April – but that was the wrong place and troops were faced with steep cliffs place and troops were faced with steep cliffs and Turkish defenders who were well ‘dug and Turkish defenders who were well ‘dug in’ and had been well- trained by German in’ and had been well- trained by German General von SandersGeneral von Sanders

GallipoliGallipoli In August 1915 another wave of troops arrived In August 1915 another wave of troops arrived

at Sulva Bay but the landings were carried out at Sulva Bay but the landings were carried out in darkness and the troops became lost – there in darkness and the troops became lost – there was total confusionwas total confusion

Once on land the Allied troops found Once on land the Allied troops found themselves stuck in difficult terrain, fighting themselves stuck in difficult terrain, fighting the Turks who always had the high ground in a the Turks who always had the high ground in a climate that was hot – many troops died of climate that was hot – many troops died of disease and heatdisease and heat

The decision to evacuate was made and all The decision to evacuate was made and all troops left in December 1915troops left in December 1915

By that time 250,000 Allied soldiers had diedBy that time 250,000 Allied soldiers had died

The Somme and The Somme and PasschendaelePasschendaele

Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig – Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig – Commander in Chief of the British Army on Commander in Chief of the British Army on the Western Front from December 1915-the the Western Front from December 1915-the end of the warend of the war

He believed in the Big PushHe believed in the Big Push He believed the war could be won through He believed the war could be won through

sheer weight in numberssheer weight in numbers He believed that the war could only be won He believed that the war could only be won

on the Western Fronton the Western Front He continually demanded more men from He continually demanded more men from

politicianspoliticians He did not allow troops to be diverted to He did not allow troops to be diverted to

other areas of fightingother areas of fighting


On 1st July 1916 Haig launched his first On 1st July 1916 Haig launched his first major offensive at the Sommemajor offensive at the Somme

This was to take pressure off the French This was to take pressure off the French at Verdunat Verdun

Haig ordered a seven day bombardment of Haig ordered a seven day bombardment of the German trenches involving 4000 gunsthe German trenches involving 4000 guns

Bombardment failed to destroy the enemy Bombardment failed to destroy the enemy defencesdefences

British suffered 59,000 casualties on the British suffered 59,000 casualties on the first dayfirst day


The German trenches were well The German trenches were well constructed – they were also dug constructed – they were also dug deep into the chalk and this offered deep into the chalk and this offered good protectiongood protection

One of the Allied mines exploded One of the Allied mines exploded early which gave the Germans time early which gave the Germans time to prepareto prepare


Despite horrifying casualties and Despite horrifying casualties and failures Haig ordered the attacks to failures Haig ordered the attacks to continuecontinue

Pozieres – a town 5 km from the start Pozieres – a town 5 km from the start line – was not taken until August 25thline – was not taken until August 25th

Haig eventually called off the attack Haig eventually called off the attack in Novemberin November

Less than 5 miles had been gainedLess than 5 miles had been gained


In 1917 Haig ordered a second major attack In 1917 Haig ordered a second major attack at Passchendaele north of Ypresat Passchendaele north of Ypres

Aim was to capture the ridge and then Aim was to capture the ridge and then capture the U-boat pens at Zeebruggecapture the U-boat pens at Zeebrugge

Haig was encouraged by British success at Haig was encouraged by British success at Messines Ridge east of Ypres in June 1917 Messines Ridge east of Ypres in June 1917 when 18 mines were exploded under enemy when 18 mines were exploded under enemy lineslines

Passchedaele Ridge was heavily defended by Passchedaele Ridge was heavily defended by the Germans and had 2000 concrete machine the Germans and had 2000 concrete machine gun postsgun posts


It was the MUD that really defeated the It was the MUD that really defeated the Britsh attackersBritsh attackers

It rained heavily throughout the battleIt rained heavily throughout the battle Bombardments destoyed the ditches and Bombardments destoyed the ditches and

drains that were built to deal with wet landdrains that were built to deal with wet land Haig never visited the battle field and didn’t Haig never visited the battle field and didn’t

know what the conditions were likeknow what the conditions were like The British needed duckboards and ribbons The British needed duckboards and ribbons

to show where the safe ground wasto show where the safe ground was Many soldiers died of being Many soldiers died of being

drowned/suffocated in the muddrowned/suffocated in the mud


Haig has been heavily criticised for the heavy losses Haig has been heavily criticised for the heavy losses incurred in such big battlesincurred in such big battles

He appears to have been inflexible and lacking in ideasHe appears to have been inflexible and lacking in ideas He remained convinced until the end of the war that He remained convinced until the end of the war that

cavalry was the key to victorycavalry was the key to victory He resisted Lloyd George’s attempts to create a unified He resisted Lloyd George’s attempts to create a unified

Allied Command in 1917Allied Command in 1917 He remained in his position until the end of the war but He remained in his position until the end of the war but

had to accept Foch as his superior (French General had to accept Foch as his superior (French General who was made Allied Supreme Commander in 1918)who was made Allied Supreme Commander in 1918)

In the end his ‘Big Push’ tactics failed and the war was In the end his ‘Big Push’ tactics failed and the war was won by surprise attacks without massive won by surprise attacks without massive bombardmentsbombardments

The War at SeaThe War at Sea It was expected there would be a major It was expected there would be a major

battle between the Royal Navy and the battle between the Royal Navy and the German High Seas FleetGerman High Seas Fleet

For the first 2 years of the war nothing For the first 2 years of the war nothing really happenedreally happened

The British chased German raiders and The British chased German raiders and eliminated a squadron at the Falkland eliminated a squadron at the Falkland IslandsIslands

The only action in home waters was The only action in home waters was between battle cruisers at Dogger Bank between battle cruisers at Dogger Bank in 1915 – this was not a major nor in 1915 – this was not a major nor decisive battledecisive battle

The War at SeaThe War at Sea The Germans began submarine warfare in The Germans began submarine warfare in

19151915 This was when they started to attack This was when they started to attack

merchant shipping that was carrying war merchant shipping that was carrying war goodsgoods

They stopped after the sinking of the They stopped after the sinking of the Lusitania and the loss of 1400 livesLusitania and the loss of 1400 lives

The Americans were horrified at the The Americans were horrified at the behaviour of the Germans and they were behaviour of the Germans and they were forced to stopforced to stop

The Germans didn’t want the Americans to The Germans didn’t want the Americans to enter the warenter the war

The War at SeaThe War at Sea

There was only one major battleThere was only one major battle Jutland May 1916Jutland May 1916 The result was indecisive – in as much The result was indecisive – in as much

as the British lost more ships and menas the British lost more ships and men It was the Germans who retreated It was the Germans who retreated

back to their portback to their port AND the German High Seas Fleet AND the German High Seas Fleet

never left port againnever left port again

The War at SeaThe War at Sea

By the end of 1916 the Germans begin By the end of 1916 the Germans begin unrestricted submarine warfare (this unrestricted submarine warfare (this meant they didn’t have to search meant they didn’t have to search merchant shipping before attacking merchant shipping before attacking thus violating international law)thus violating international law)

The Germans wanted to starve Britain The Germans wanted to starve Britain out by attacking merchant shipping as out by attacking merchant shipping as they sailed across the Atlanticthey sailed across the Atlantic

In April 1917 – 875,000 tonnes of In April 1917 – 875,000 tonnes of shipping was sunkshipping was sunk

This changed the naval strategyThis changed the naval strategy

The War at SeaThe War at Sea May 1917 the PM David Lloyd George May 1917 the PM David Lloyd George

ordered the Admiralty to supply escorts for ordered the Admiralty to supply escorts for convoys sailing across the Atlanticconvoys sailing across the Atlantic

This meant the merchant ships would be This meant the merchant ships would be under the full protection of the Royal Navyunder the full protection of the Royal Navy

By October 1917 the Germans had lost more By October 1917 the Germans had lost more than 50 submarines and the danger was overthan 50 submarines and the danger was over

The Royal Navy also blockaded Germany – The Royal Navy also blockaded Germany – this meant they stopped imports from this meant they stopped imports from reaching Germanyreaching Germany

Germany responded by introducing rationingGermany responded by introducing rationing But by mid 1918 many Germans were going But by mid 1918 many Germans were going

hungryhungry

The Defeat of GermanyThe Defeat of Germany

In 1917 it looked like neither side was In 1917 it looked like neither side was in a position to win the warin a position to win the war

The declaration of war by the USA in The declaration of war by the USA in April 1917 broke the deadlockApril 1917 broke the deadlock

The USA joined the war for two The USA joined the war for two reasons – they had lent huge sums of reasons – they had lent huge sums of money to Britain and France and would money to Britain and France and would not get it repaid if the Germans wonnot get it repaid if the Germans won

There was increasing public sympathy There was increasing public sympathy for Britain and France as democratic for Britain and France as democratic countriescountries

The Defeat of GermanyThe Defeat of Germany

In March 1917 four US ships were sunk In March 1917 four US ships were sunk by Germans due to their unrestricted by Germans due to their unrestricted submarine warfaresubmarine warfare

And the British government handed the And the British government handed the Zimmermann Telegram to the Americans Zimmermann Telegram to the Americans which said that the Germans had invited which said that the Germans had invited Mexico to attack the US if war broke out Mexico to attack the US if war broke out with Germany and that Germany would with Germany and that Germany would help them regain lost territory in the UShelp them regain lost territory in the US

ALL of this angered the Americans so they ALL of this angered the Americans so they declared wardeclared war

The Defeat of GermanyThe Defeat of Germany The Germans were now convinced they The Germans were now convinced they

had to win the war quicklyhad to win the war quickly After the Bolsheviks had seized power in After the Bolsheviks had seized power in

1917 they signed a peace agreement with 1917 they signed a peace agreement with Germany (Treaty of Brest Litovsk 1918) Germany (Treaty of Brest Litovsk 1918)

This meant that 1,000,000 German troops This meant that 1,000,000 German troops could be moved to the Western Frontcould be moved to the Western Front

Although these troops were not Although these troops were not experienced and battle-hardened as those experienced and battle-hardened as those on the Western Fronton the Western Front

The Defeat of GermanyThe Defeat of Germany On 21st March 1918 the Germans On 21st March 1918 the Germans

launched Operation Michael – they launched Operation Michael – they wanted to bring the war to an end before wanted to bring the war to an end before the US troops arrivedthe US troops arrived

They used new tactics – short barrages They used new tactics – short barrages and small teams of highly trained soldiersand small teams of highly trained soldiers

They took the Allies off guard and gained They took the Allies off guard and gained a lot of new ground – in some places 53 a lot of new ground – in some places 53 milesmiles

In May 1918 the Germans were just 37 In May 1918 the Germans were just 37 miles from Parismiles from Paris

The Defeat of GermanyThe Defeat of Germany The Germans failed to drive a wedge The Germans failed to drive a wedge

through the Allied lines and they held firmthrough the Allied lines and they held firm US troops arrived in Spring of 1918 – by US troops arrived in Spring of 1918 – by

June they successfully helped to halt the June they successfully helped to halt the German advance and reinforced the AlliesGerman advance and reinforced the Allies

They played an important part in the They played an important part in the Second Battle of the MarneSecond Battle of the Marne

1,250,000 US troops served in Europe1,250,000 US troops served in Europe Casualty rates were very high as they were Casualty rates were very high as they were

not prepared/trained for modern warfarenot prepared/trained for modern warfare

Defeat of GermanyDefeat of Germany Operation Michael ground to a halt in Operation Michael ground to a halt in

June 1918June 1918 More and more US troops arrivedMore and more US troops arrived Germans had marched beyond their Germans had marched beyond their

defensive linedefensive line They were in exposed positionsThey were in exposed positions On 8th August the Allies attacked near On 8th August the Allies attacked near

Amiens – it was called Black Day by Amiens – it was called Black Day by German High CommandGerman High Command

German Army collapsed along the FrontGerman Army collapsed along the Front

Defeat of GermanyDefeat of Germany From August until the end of October the Allies From August until the end of October the Allies

advanced steadilyadvanced steadily There were informal peace talks between There were informal peace talks between

Germans and Allies in OctoberGermans and Allies in October Some German Army Commanders – like Some German Army Commanders – like

Ludendorff - still believed the Germans could Ludendorff - still believed the Germans could win. Others – like Hindenburg – wanted an win. Others – like Hindenburg – wanted an armisticearmistice

Early November – uprisings in Germany caused Early November – uprisings in Germany caused the Kaiser to abdicate – on 9th Nov – and the the Kaiser to abdicate – on 9th Nov – and the new Socialist Government called for armisticenew Socialist Government called for armistice

Germany surrendered unconditionally at the 11 Germany surrendered unconditionally at the 11 hour on the 11 day of the 11monthhour on the 11 day of the 11month

revision – session 6

Documents

plan plan

battlethe schlieffen

french army

british army

german advance

mobilisean army

german force

mobilised2 german army