practices of war (world war one) ib history
TRANSCRIPT
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
1Practices of war
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
2 The extent of mobilization and resources There are two main concepts: Total war: Limited war
The I WW can be seen as an example of total war for the amount of the resources and technology mobilized
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
3 Technological developments and theaters of war
The extent of mobilization and resources
Theaters of war: Land Air Sea
Technology
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
4 How important is the technology to understand wars? http://
science.howstuffworks.com/war-drive-technological-advancement.htm
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
5 Initial mobilization. Central Powers
Population: 115 M. Standing Army: Mobilization: 20 M. during the 4 years
Geostrategic advantages: German Army had an advance system of command and control (quick
movements) Internal communications (higher coordination)
No need to defend colonial possessions (more concentrated army)
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
6 Initial mobilization. Allied
Population: 265 M. RU. And FR. Had a conscript Army Standing Army: 2,8 M. Mobilization: 42 M. (12 M. from RU)
RU: Antiquated and large army FR: Technologically well equipped BR and the USA: Naval powers
Difficult communications between the different countries Share of responsibilities on the seas (FR and BR) Colonies were a problem: Scattered army
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
7 The land war. I WW
1914 Western Front Eastern Front 1915 Western Front Gallipoli The Italian Front 1916 Western Front (Verdun and Somme) Eastern Front (Brosilov Offensive) 1917 The entry of the USA The retreat of Russia 1918 End of the war
Technology: Machine guns and tanks
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
8 1914
The Western Front The initial phase was based on rapid movements
based on Schieffen Plan GER invaded Belgium with more resistance that it
was expected (BR and FR helped Belgium to resist, and GER needed 20 days to capture Brussels)
BR sent 150,000 men as part of the BEF (British Expeditionary Force)
GER was unable to go under the schedule of the Schieffen Plan (the lines were unable to advance together)
Finally, the FR and BR stopped Germans in the Marne River (in French territory)
New phase of the war: Trench warfare
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
9 1914
The trench warfare was a new phase of the war
A strong line of trenches from Belgium to Switzerland was created
Both sides were equipped with strong defensive techniques so there was a permanent situation of stalemate during the war in the Western Front
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
10 Trench warfare
Trenches were complicated for the attacking side
Technology gave important advantages to the defenders, especially the artillery and the machine guns
The infantry was in a high risk when they tried to conquer the trench. Why?
Cross the no-man land Cut the thick barbed wire
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
11 No man´s land
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
12 Techonology: Machine guns
The machine guns were used for defensive actions (tripod-mounted machine guns)
On average, machine guns fired 500 bullets over one minute
At the end of the war, the two camps were able to create machine guns for offensive purposes (quite rudimentary)
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
13 Machine guns
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
14 Offensive tactics in the I WW
New offensive tactics were developed during the I WW:
Preliminary Artillery Bombing: Bomb the enemies trenches before start the attack
Goal: Kill enemies, destroy the machine guns, but also cut the barbed wire
Problems: The artillery was inaccurate Development of shields and trenches build with
concrete The bombing gave advance to the defenders in the
sense they expected an attack
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
15 Offensive tactics in the West Front
Creeping barrage: Use of artillery with an infantry advance
Goal: Same + Surprise effect
Problems: Difficult synchronization (lack of
modern communications) Friend fire
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
16 Offensive tactics in the Western Front
Mines. How? Build of tunnels to put mines under the
enemies trenches Aim: Destroy the enemies + Create a
breech in the trench enemies (avoid communications)
Problem: Poisoned gases in the tunnels The detonation was not always
produced or produced with a delay (fire enemy)
http://spartacus-educational.com/FWWtunnelling.htm
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
17 Offensive tactics in the Western Front
Poisoned gas: Release of poisoned gas from canisters on the enemies trench (from 1915)
Goal: Kill enemies + Psychological impact in the enemy
Problem: If the wind changes …. Development of masks against
the gasses
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
18
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
19 Offensive tactics.
The use of the tanks (from 1916) Aim: Cover for the infantry
Problem: Tanks were not very developed so they
had frequent technical problems Used at the end of the war, in limited
numbers (initial phase)
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
20 The Western Front
There was a continues pressure for advances from the military ranks, who were used to a different type of war
Lack of new strategies
No real possibility of advance due to the technological advances
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
21 The Eastern Front.
Who? AUS, GER and BUL against RUS and BUL
GER calculations were based on a long mobilization of the Russian troops, but finally, this mobilization was produced in less time
The German strategy was based on contention by AUS and BUL rather than expansion
Russian defeats in the Battle of Tannenberg (August) and in the Masurian Lakes (September)
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
22 Western Front in 1915
The most important event was the Battle of Ypres
Germans used poisoned gas for the first time in the war
High psychological effect (just 200 men killed in the first attack)
GER used this advantage to advance, but they were stopped in Ypres (they moved 7 km. the front)
Casualties (Battle of Ypres):- Allies: 69,000 Germans: 38,000 It is a good example about how irrelevant were
the advances in the Western Front
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
23 Technology: The poison gas
Gas became an important weapon towards the end of the war (one out of four shells in the last years of the war were poison gas)
Considering the structure of the trenches, gas could be very destructive. Why?
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
24 Technology. The poison gas
Although, the poison gas had an incredible psychological effect, the casualties provoked by poison gas were not relevant:
Less than 1% of the casualties Around 90,000 fatalities Horrendous physical impact in those
affected by the gas who survived
Actually, Hitler was affected by poison gas, and he refused to use this weapon in WWII
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
25 Technology. The poison gas
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
26 1915. The war in a new front: Gallipoli
Considering the war was in a permanent state of stalemate, the Allies decided to open a new unexpected front
They thought the weakest country of the central powers was …
So, they decided to launch an attack in the Anatolian Peninsula
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
27 1915. The war in a new front. Gallipoli
The intention of the Allies were:
Improve the moral of the troops with an impressive victory
Knock the Ottoman Empire out of the war Open up new ways of communication with
Russia (Constantinople Straights) Encircle the Central Powers even more
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
28 1915. The war in a new scenario. Gallipoli
The attack was mainly coordinated by British, New Zealand and Australian troops (known as ANZAC)
It was an amphibious assault after a preliminary bombing
Although the Allies were very interested in this campaign (almost half million of troops used to the attack) the result was a defeat
It was considered an example of bad management by the high ranks
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
29 1915. The war in a new scenario. The Gallipoli campaign
Result:
Casualties 60,000 Ottoman 45,000 Allies
Allies did not reach the objective of controlling the Straights, so RUS was “alone”
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
30 Italian Front
Italy joined the Allies in 1915, although initially she was part of the Triple Alliance
The Italian troops (disorganized and with bad equipment) tried to fight against the Austrians in the Alps
They did not go very far, so they were even unable to really create a front
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
31 1916. Western Front
The Battle of Verdun
German offensive over Verdun Battle of attrition and symbolic value for the
French After 10 months of battle:
542,000 French casualties 430,000 German casualties Germany held 8 km. more territory Verdun was conserved in French hands So, actually, nothing changed
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
32 1916. Battle of Somme
The British though the best defense is a good attack, so they launched an offensive in Somme
Tactic: Bombardment + Infantry advance
Tanks were used for the first time in the battle of Somme without great results (it was a proof rather than a weapon at that moment)
Casualities: Allies: 600,000 Germans: 500,000
Again, the results of this offensive were irrelevant (British gained 10 km.)
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
33 Technology in the war: The tanks
The tank is an armored vehicle with capacity to cross difficult terrain
Tanks were armored with cannons and machine guns
The first tanks had several problems: Slow vehicles They broke down easily They were trapped in the mud or in the
craters
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
34 Technology in the war: The tanks
Tanks were armored with machine guns to fight against the fire from the trenches
Tanks were initially used by the allies, but Germans were able to copy the model at the end of the war
Successes In 1918, they became more effective (it is
true Germans were in a weak situation at that point)
In 1917, tanks were able to advance 10 km. in few hours in the battle of Cambrai
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
35
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
36 The Eastern Front. Brusilov Offensive
The Brusilov offensive was a Russian offensive over the Austrians to “give a relief” to the Western Front
They were successful in the first battles and Brusilov gained 100 km., but the lack of supplies and organization stopped him
1 M. of casualties Although the results were not very negative (AUS
forces were weakened, and they needed the support from the Germans), the offensive had an impact in the morale of the Russian troops and population (increasing discontent)
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
37 1917. A key point in the war
1917 was a turning point in the war because: Good and bad news for the Central Powers
The entry of the USA Russian Revolution
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
38 The entry of the USA
USA entered in the war for different reasons:
German submarines were targeting American vessels (avoid commerce), being especially relevant the case of the Lusitania
Zimmerman Telegram: GER encouraged Mexico to declare war on the USA. The telegram was intercepted by the British secret services.
The real intentions of the Americans were economic (they wanted to receive the loans back)
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
39 The entry of the USA
The entrance of the USA had an important relevance for different reasons:
Higher commitment by the USA to finish the war New soldiers (250,000 per month)
This is crucial considering the I WW was fundamentally a war of attrition
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
40 The withdraw of Russia
In February, there was a liberal revolution in Russia, but the government decided to continue the war
In October, the Bolshevik Revolution was produced and the revolutionaries decided to sign the Peace of Brest-Livostk (1918)
It is relevant because Germany …
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
41 1917. The Italian Front
The Italians suffered an awful defeat in the battle of Caporetto (300,000 losses) so the Austrians were able to control some parts of the North of Italy
BR and FR needed to send troops to the Italian Front to avoid a complete disaster (an Italian surrender, seriously considered by the Italian authorities)
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
42 1918.
GER and RUS reached the Agreement of Brest-Livostk, with a harsh conditions to RUS (see on Consequences)
German troops could focus on the Eastern Front
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
43 1918. The Ludendorff Offensive
Although the victory in the East, GER was aware they were losing the war of attrition, so the solution was …
Launch a desperate attack to solve the situation of stalemate (the Ludendorff Offensive in June)
Strategy: Hurricane barrage: Bombardment + Stormtrooper infantry (infiltration tactics)
Germans were able to advance 65 km. but it was impossible to continue (lack of reserve forces)
At that point, the Allies counterattacked (July) and German forces were retreating irreversibly until the final defeat (November)
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
441918. Spanish Influenza
Spanish Influenza (1918 – 1920) was the most dramatic influenza in the world (the virus killed up to 120 M. of people, 6% of the world´s population)
The diseases were facilitated by the insufficient sanitary conditions
Psychological effect in the soldiers and civil population ---- The war should end soon
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
45 1918. The end of the war
Finally, the German forces were overwhelmed by the superiority of the Allies (+ men, + supplies) in the war of attrition
Privations and lack of resources were the key factors of the German defeat
Kiel Mutiny (1918): Soldiers refused to fight
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
46 The war at sea
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
47 The war at sea
I WW was basically a war fought in the land
Although, the sea had an important relevance for commercial reasons
The main aim of the different powers was:- Britain: Create a blockade to stop German supplies- Germany: Break the blockade and blockade Britain
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
48 British strategy. The blockade
To create the blockade British:
Lay mines Have patrol guard on the North
Sea and English Channel One major battle: the battle of
Jutland (1916) where Germans tried to break the blockade --- They failed and the status quo in favor of Britain remained
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
49 German strategy. The submarines
The main strategy of the Germans was the submarine warfare and the avoidance of the British trade
Germans said that any boat around Britain could be targeted (including merchant shippings) with U-boats
Two main campaigns: 1915 and 1917 The campaigns were partially successful (In 1915, 748,000 tons was
lost, and in 1917, 500,000 tons) but at the same time, it created problems with one neutral country: USA
British solution: Convoy system and anti-submarine devices
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
50
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
51 The submarines
Traditional Submarines were used in other wars, but the I WW was the first war with an extensive use of them
Submarines facilitated a “double blockade”. Why? Numbers: Submarines in 1914: GER: 28, BRI: 76 Submarines built during the war: GER: 327, BRI: 146
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
52 The submarines
To counteract the action of the submarines Britain introduced:
Q-ships (ships disguised as merchant ships) with technology to attack submarines
Convoys Mines
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
53 The war in the air
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
54 The war in the air
The war in the air was not as significant as in the I WW
Airplanes did not play a decisive role, but at the same time they show the potential of the air warfare
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
55 The reconnaissance aircraft
The strategic importance of the aircrafts was more related with the information (aerial reconnaissance)
In the Battle of Tannenberg (1914) German were able to predict the movements of the Russian troops because of the aerial reconnaissance --- tactic of encirclement
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
56 The fighter aircraft
The next step was the fighter aircraft
Fight aircrafts carried machine guns and increased the speed
Impressive technological advance during the war (the speeds could reach more than 200 Km/h and carried two machine guns at the end of the war)
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
57 The zeppelin and bomber aircrafts
At the beginning, aircrafts were unable to bomb other positions, so this task was carried by zeppelins
German invention: 51 Zeppelins were used against Britain
Zeppelins had a limited capacity of destruction:
51 zeppelins killed around 500 people during the war
They were slow, and easy targets --- 60 of the 84 built in the war were destroyed
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
58 Bomber aircrafts
In 1916, first bomber aircrafts were used in the Saar by the British
Germans did the same in 1917 (27 raids in Great Britain)
The used of aircrafts provided a strategical advantage to Germans in the Ludendorff Offensive
Nevertheless, the aircrafts were in an experimental phase, so the produced damage was quite limited
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
59
Human and economic resources in WWI
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
60 Human and economic resources
Human resources- Military manpower Economic resources- War production
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
61 Military manpower
All powers (except …) had large standing armies The first aim of the different powers was increase the number and
efficiency of the army. How?
Quick mobilization- Example (Schieffen Plan --- 1,5 M. were mobilized)
Conscription- Which side could be more benefited from conscription?
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
62 Military manpower
The Allies were in a better position for different reasons:
Larger population (RUS) The colonies factor: British Empire (Gallipoli)
and French Empire (Algerian troops) The entry of the Americans in 1917
Most of the countries had more or less efficient systems of conscription (exception: BR in 1916)
So, time was against Central Powers (the failure of Ludendoff Offensive was produced because of the lack of human resources)
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
63 War production
What kind of military material was required for the different sides?
Munitions (Weapons) Industrial workforce Food
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
64 Munitions
Countries were not ready to produce the demanded amount of munitions required for the war at the beginning
June 1915 (Britain) Shortage in:- Riffles (12%)- High explosive shells (92%)
Countries were forced to change its rhythm of production (Ex. FR 4,000 shells per day (1914) --- 151,000 shells per day (1915)
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
65 Munitions
One key factor was the access to raw materials:
Allies were in a better position: Trade Access to the colonies Entry of the USA
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
66 Munitions
Generally, it is considered RUS was the country with more problems to supply the Army (because of her huge Army, at the beginning of the war, RUS produced less than a half of the required riffles)
Actually, RUS was able to create a relatively effective economy of war:
The troops were equipped with armament (important increase of the production)
1916 (4,5 M. of shells per month) * 4 efficient than AUS
The main problem of the RUS army was with other supplies (food, clothing and medical supplies)
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
67 Munitions
How did the governments increase the production of weapons?
Gov. gave priority to the production of weapons Interventionism: Gov. took over some enterprises and coalminers Specific sections were created to help this economy of war (Ex – War
Industries Committee)
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
68 Munitions
In some cases, the civilians played a significant role to help the economy of war (Ex. Civilian organizations were important in RUS to fight against the shortfall)
The internal communications also played a role (rail, roads) (Ex. RUS counted with a chaotic rail network)
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
69 Workforce
The increase in production demanded an increase in the workforce. How?
Women: BR: 23% (1914) - 34% (1918) FR: 34% (1914) - 40% (1918) AUS: 17% -- 42% GER: 55% of women in the industrial sector
at the end of the war
Some exemptions were made for some men to conserve the expertise in certain fields (mining, munition production, etc.)
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
70 Food
Food was a major issue during the war.
The production of food decreased during the war. Why?
Farmers were fighting in the war Less fertile soil No trade
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
71 Food. Britain
BR imported 60% of the food
BR strategy was based on: Increase its production (2,1 M.
extra acres of land dedicated to agriculture)
+ Exports from America Rationing system in 1918 for
some products (beef and sugar)
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
72 Food. Germany
GER imported 30% of food (less vulnerable)
GER strategy was based on: Create substitute food (flour, grain and
mushrooms were made into a meat substitute)
GER sense of prediction: The gov. ordered the slaughter of millions of pigs --- fields were not fertilized --- Decrease in the yields
The situation at the end of the war was really critical in many GER cities
Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.
73 Food. Russia
Food shortage were a real problem in RUS creating a huge problem of inflation:
In 1916 (food was a 89% more expensive)
Meat (232%) Salt (483%)
The inflation created a problem of lack of incentives to sell products to the market