Military History WWIMs. Jerome

What was the Schlieffen Plan

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/FWWschlieffenP.htm Who was Schlieffen?

Why did he adopt this plan

Include a picture of Schlieffen

What happened to the French Army? To where were they pushed?

Battle of the Marnehttp://www.firstworldwar.com/battles/marne1.htm Who

What

When

Where

Result

Map of the Battle of the Marne

Picture of Battle of the Marne

“Race to the Sea” and “outflanking” September to November 1914 Before trench warfare—this was “mobile warfare”

An effort to get “around” the side of the opposing army.

The end of the “race to the sea” is the beginning of trench warfare

This is the “last mobile phase of the war” on the Western Front

The "Race to the Sea" was the race to see who could build their trench system from Switzerland to the sea first. The loser could be outflanked.

They went all the way to the sea doing this in the west and east to the mountains.

By October, 1914, the line had basically solidified into a 1,200 mile maze of trenches

First Battle of Ypres October-November 1914 The Germans wanted to break through the French line

Germans launched attack on Ypres

What was the result of the First Battle of Ypres?

Second Battle of Ypres 22 April – 25 May 1915 Germans seek to take over Ypres

Neither side makes no great advances

What did the Germans use for the first time?

What were the casualties?

The Battle of Verdun 1916

North Eastern France

Verdun resulted in 698,000 battlefield deaths (362,000 French and 336,000 German combatants)

It was the longest and one of the most devastating battles in the First World War and the history of warfare.

The Battle of Verdun February, 1916 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oabxoP_jVM&feature=related

According to the video, what was Germany’s intent?

Thus, what is the meaning, “war of attrition?”

The Battle of the Somme In an attempt to relieve the French at Verdun, the British and the French

launched an offensive on the Somme.

This was the “Big Push” –It was supposed to bring victory to the French

. At the time, in numbers of men involved, it was history’s largest battle. The plan was to break open the German defense line, send the cavalry gloriously charging through the gap, and turn the tide of the war. The result was a catastrophe.

After four and a half months of fighting, British and French troops had suffered more than 600,000 casualties. The Big Push had gained them roughly five miles of muddy, shell-pocked wasteland.

A Day that Shook the World …. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpCUFw-EnNw

What was the Hindenburg Line? An Allied Defense line

Barbed wire 100 yards or more deep

Connected by concrete pill boxes

Add a picture…

Arras: In terms of casualty numbers, what was notable about Arras 4,070 men per day –the highest of the war.

End Notes Wednesday….