A/A* Essay Plans- Trench Warfare on the Western Front
WW1
How far was Britain prepared for war with Germany in 1914?
To small extent
Point 1: Outdated tactics and strategy
Sir John French Chief commander of British army
His men had little to no training in modern warfare
Most committed to taking the offensive
Lack of recognition of need for tech to win the war
By December 1914 line of trenches= 450 miles across Western Europe
How would infantry overcome new fire power considered in Russo - Japanese war
1905
Side that won= one that held the longest with the most soldiers (most defensive not
offensive)
War of attrition not one of movement
Most significant because recognising tactics were outdated= failures at Battle of
Mons and Le Cateau (23rd and 26th August 1914) BEF had to fight costly rearguard
action at Le Cateau, 1st Battle of Ypres both sides outflanking each other by racing
to sea, allies held Ypres but 100,000+ casualties, race ended in stalemate, offensive
strategies not working but French still used them at Neuve Chapelle (10-13th March
1915) which led to 13,000 GB casualties, Aubers Ridge and Festubert (May 1915)
failed with 16,500 casualties
Point 2: Munitions problems
Deficient in Modern tech
2 machine guns per battalion
Entire army= only 80 motor vehicles
August 1914, barely 6,000 rifles being produced
War office decision to concentrate orders in hands of government run factories,
reduced industries ability to respond to new demands
Less significant than outdated tactics, because inadequate munitions for modern
warfare= by product of lack of recognition of the new type of warfare
Point 3: Kitchener realised they needed huge armies
Forecasted 3-4 year war
Realised they needed huge armies
Recruitment plans exceeded all expectations and 761,000 men joined army
Less significant, because big army was helpful, but what use if it wasn't led
effectively to meet demands of modern warfare
How accurate would it be to say that the British Army quickly adjusted to the
problems of trench warfare in the years 1914 to 1916?
To small extent
Point 1: French not appreciating that more defensive strategy was required for a war
of attrition
Sir John French Chief commander of British army
His men had little to no training in modern warfare
WW1
How far was Britain prepared for war with Germany in 1914?
To small extent
Point 1: Outdated tactics and strategy
Sir John French Chief commander of British army
His men had little to no training in modern warfare
Most committed to taking the offensive
Lack of recognition of need for tech to win the war
By December 1914 line of trenches= 450 miles across Western Europe
How would infantry overcome new fire power considered in Russo - Japanese war
1905
Side that won= one that held the longest with the most soldiers (most defensive not
offensive)
War of attrition not one of movement
Most significant because recognising tactics were outdated= failures at Battle of
Mons and Le Cateau (23rd and 26th August 1914) BEF had to fight costly rearguard
action at Le Cateau, 1st Battle of Ypres both sides outflanking each other by racing
to sea, allies held Ypres but 100,000+ casualties, race ended in stalemate, offensive
strategies not working but French still used them at Neuve Chapelle (10-13th March
1915) which led to 13,000 GB casualties, Aubers Ridge and Festubert (May 1915)
failed with 16,500 casualties
Point 2: Munitions problems
Deficient in Modern tech
2 machine guns per battalion
Entire army= only 80 motor vehicles
August 1914, barely 6,000 rifles being produced
War office decision to concentrate orders in hands of government run factories,
reduced industries ability to respond to new demands
Less significant than outdated tactics, because inadequate munitions for modern
warfare= by product of lack of recognition of the new type of warfare
Point 3: Kitchener realised they needed huge armies
Forecasted 3-4 year war
Realised they needed huge armies
Recruitment plans exceeded all expectations and 761,000 men joined army
Less significant, because big army was helpful, but what use if it wasn't led
effectively to meet demands of modern warfare
How accurate would it be to say that the British Army quickly adjusted to the
problems of trench warfare in the years 1914 to 1916?
To small extent
Point 1: French not appreciating that more defensive strategy was required for a war
of attrition
Sir John French Chief commander of British army
His men had little to no training in modern warfare
