Trenches In Ww1

War on the Western Front
Reasons for the stalemate on the Western Front (217 Words)
There was a clear expectation that WW1 would be a quick, offensive military war over by Christmas. Introduction of new technology such as munitions and tanks changed the structure of war as many were not prepared for modern warfare. Millions of men participated in war along with vast numbers of horses and later trucks, there was a great need for food and medical supplies however, it was hard to sustain. There were many war plans made such as the Schlieffen Plan; a plan devised to avoid war on two fronts, Germans to defeat France and turn back to Russia with a hammer swing, and Plan 17; was the French mobilisation plan. Modifications were made to the plans
Features of trenches included, sandbags, ammunition, dugouts, parapet, duckboard, fire steps and barbed wire. Trenches were a complex network and extended across many kilometres with the front line positioned to launch at the enemy. They were constructed in a zig zag structure. Communication trenches connected each line. They were expected to be temporary at the beginning of the war. The area between allies and Germans was called no man’s land. There was not set distance between the lines. No man’s land had deep craters, mud, heavy rain, artillery bombardment. Weaponry changed throughout the war, machine guns, rifles, grenades, flamethrowers, mortars and gas were used. The battle tactics began as offensive and later changed to defensive. The life in trenches was horrible, there were many rats, mud and diseases that were evident within the trenches. This lead to battle fatigue and shell shock. Many soldiers experiences unhygienic living conditions, Illnesses such as dysentery, trench foot and PTSD. 80% of the time solders were bored stuff, 19% of the time frozen stiff and only 1% of the time scared
The Battle of Verdun was in Feb – Nove 1916. “They shall not pass” is the saying aligned with it. It involved generals, Falkenhayn for Germany and Petain for France. It was Germany’s aim to “bleed the French white” through a war of attrition. Using heavy artillery bombardment and diphosgene gas. It resulted in an early German advance later re won by France. The failures of Verdun lead to Falkenhayn replaced by Hindenburg and Ludendorff. Another battle was the Battle of the Somme. This was from July – Nov 1916. It is in the Guinness book of records as it has record numbers of casualties. General Haig was involved. The aim being to break through and relieve France at Verdun. They used artillery assaults and creeping barrage tanks. Another battle was the Battle of Passchendaele. This was between Julys – Nov 1917. It is known for the mud. It was also with General Haig. The aim was to gain control of the seaports and draw pressure off France. The use of heavy artillery bombardment. The result was only a small territorial gain and the opportunity to send reserves after a breakthrough at Cambrai. There were also attempts made beyond the Western Front, these included places like Gallipoli. There was the naval blockade, which saw Germany launch its unrestricted submarine warfare and peace movements such as Papal peace note to reduce arms and the women’s peace