Somme (British attack) July to November 1916 Led by inadequate General Haig, believed bombarding enemy lines for 8 days would create a gap of which the cavalry and infantry could push through Destroyed trenches but not deep dugouts 60 000 Allied deaths in one day, constant going “over the top”-Haig refused to alternate plans during battle German’s machine gunned the advancing troops Failure, 600 000 English casualties and 450 000 German Passchendaele (British attack) Began July 1917 where British troops attacked the German’s in the town of Passchendaele, Belgium. Known as 3rd Battle of Ypres Victory mean German could launch attacks on British homeland and destroy submarines Draw pressure off French army who were having trouble with a lack of discipline Bite and hold tactic Difficult terrain as massive craters caused by artillery were filled in by rain. Men, horses and equipment became stuck and drowned, tanks ineffective No real victory to either side Allied casualties: 600 000; Germans: 300 000 Date Battle Aim Casualties Tactics Results 1914 Nov 1st Battle of Ypres Allies and Germans try to outflank each other 140 000 each Attack German forces who were on the move Extended the trenches to the Channel 1915 April 2nd Battle of German attack British: 60 000 German: 35 000 First use of poison gas Attack quickly halted 1916 Verdun German attack to take French fort French: 400 000 German: 500 000 Attrition German failure, spirit of French army broken Somme Relieve the French and break through German lines British: 600 000 German: 500 000 Frontal assault with use of tanks Failure 1917 Passchendaele British attack 400 000 each Huge bombardment (7 days) Failed to take Belgian coast and capture German sub. bases 1918 March Operation St Michael German offensive for rapid knockout blow German: 350 000 British: 300 000 Germans used trench mortars and flamethrowers Germans broke through lines but were halted by the arrival of US troops July-
August Allied Push back German advance German: 35 000 USA: 100 000 Britain: 400 000 US spearhead attacks Germans fell back to Hindenburg Line, through and forced retreat 11 Nov Hostilities cease Changing attitudes of Allied and German soldiers to the war over time General enthusiasm, patriotism, adventure and peer pressure caused most young men to enlist. This faded over time with huge loss of life. Germany 1914: Widespread enthusiasm with the belief that Paris would fall before Christmas 1916: War weariness and food shortages 1917: Food shortages/starvation, strikes in Kiel shipyards 1918: Revolution, mutiny in Kiel – modelled revolution off the Russians Soldiers developed same feelings as the Allies. Conditions of trenches were terrible with lives wasted by inadequate Generals, soldiers questioning orders British Wanted to fight for “King and Country” Thought it would be over by Christmas By 1916, the Somme, support reduced as the lists of wounded and killed were announced Enormous loss of life as well as the physical and psychological injured Lack of compassion by generals influenced opposition to the war Chronology of War on Western Front 1914-1918: 1914 28 June Assassination of Franz Ferdinand 28 July Austria-Hungry declare war on Serbia 1 August Germany declares war on Russia 3-4 August Germany declares war on France and Belgium, Britain declares on Germany 15 September First trenches dug 17-18 Sept “race to the sea” 12 Oct – 11 Nov Battle of Ypres 1915 Feb-Sept Unrestricted Submarine Warfare 7 May Lusitania sunk 19 December Haig appointed commander of BEF 1916 21 Feb-18 Dec Battle of Verdun 1 July-19 Nov Battle of the Somme 29 August Hindenburg appointed commander of German armies
7 November Wilson becomes President of USA 7 December Lloyd George becomes Prime Minister of Britain 1917 1 Feb Unrestricted Submarine Warfare reintroduced 15 March Tsar Nicolas II abdicates 6 April USA enters the war 31 July-10 Nov Third Battle of Ypres – Passchendaele 7 November Bolsheviks overthrow Russian government 5 December Russia signs armistice with Germany 1918 8 January Wilson presents Fourteen Points for 3 March Russia signs Treaty of Brest-Litovsk 21 Mar- 18 July Last of German offensives 18 10 Nov Allied counter-offensives 11 November Armistice The Home Fronts in Britain and Germany war and its social and economical impact on civilians in Britain and Germany war refers to the complete dedication of a nation’s resources and people to the war effort Germany Britain Social Importance of women in the work force grew Reduction in class systems Kaiser forced to abdicate and a parliamentary government was established Decline of male dominance in society Increased social/political awareness - revolutions Mortality rate rose, starvation by 1918 Restriction of liberties Generation of women found it difficult to marry Women in the workforce grew Changes in clothing and social habit Anti-German hysteria and feelings Class barriers reduced Slight reduction of gap between rich and poor Rationing/meatless days Defence of the Realm Act (DORA) Unions didn’t have it all. Men could be imprisoned/fined for lateness, absenteeism and striking. Working hours increased, leisure activities curtailed and working locations restricted. Economic Walter Rathenau was the driving force behind German war effort – was head of the electrical company AEG. He became head of the KRA which was a War Raw Materials Department. KRA Working conditions and wages declined Imports fell Food shortages occurred-(U.S.W) Costs raised 110% Exports to Canada, India and China declined Britain became a debtor to the US