Battles of WWIBattles of WWI

IB 20IB 20thth Century Topics Century Topics

Overview: Killing FieldsOverview: Killing Fields WWI remains one of the bloodiest and WWI remains one of the bloodiest and

most destructive wars ever.most destructive wars ever. Its global impact on humanity was Its global impact on humanity was

devastating. The Allied and Central devastating. The Allied and Central powers leading the battles -- Germany, powers leading the battles -- Germany, France, and Britain - did not make any France, and Britain - did not make any great gains, despite their efforts to great gains, despite their efforts to advance their positions, and suffered advance their positions, and suffered and inflicted extraordinary casualties. and inflicted extraordinary casualties.

The Battle of Verdun, for example, The Battle of Verdun, for example, lasted nine months and resulted in lasted nine months and resulted in 300,000 dead and 750,000 injured.300,000 dead and 750,000 injured.

The Battle of VerdunThe Battle of Verdun one of the major battles during the First World one of the major battles during the First World

War on the Western Front. War on the Western Front. It was fought between the German and French It was fought between the German and French

armies, from February to December 1916 armies, from February to December 1916 German General Erich von Falkenhayn developed German General Erich von Falkenhayn developed

a battle plan for attacking Verdun, France, a city a battle plan for attacking Verdun, France, a city protected by a ring of underground forts.protected by a ring of underground forts.

The Battle of Verdun ended in a French victory The Battle of Verdun ended in a French victory since Germany failed to achieve its two goals: the since Germany failed to achieve its two goals: the capture of the city of Verdun and a much higher capture of the city of Verdun and a much higher casualty count inflicted on the Frenchcasualty count inflicted on the French

Verdun symbolized for the French the strength Verdun symbolized for the French the strength and fortitude of their armed forces and the and fortitude of their armed forces and the solidarity of the entire nation.solidarity of the entire nation.

Verdun is still considered by many Verdun is still considered by many military historians as the 'greatest' and military historians as the 'greatest' and most demanding battle in history. In the most demanding battle in history. In the end, the front lines were nearly the end, the front lines were nearly the same as when the battles started while same as when the battles started while over 300,000 French and Germans over 300,000 French and Germans were killed and over 750,000 were were killed and over 750,000 were wounded.wounded.

Battle of Verdun Interactive MapBattle of Verdun Interactive Map http://www.pbs.org/greatwar/maps/m

aps_verdun.html

Battle of the SommeBattle of the Somme One hundred and twenty-five miles One hundred and twenty-five miles

northwest of Verdun, the British and northwest of Verdun, the British and French armies joined at the Somme River.French armies joined at the Somme River.

A Franco-British offensive was planned A Franco-British offensive was planned here for 1916 to relieve pressure on the here for 1916 to relieve pressure on the French at Verdun.French at Verdun.

British General Douglas Haig ordered a British General Douglas Haig ordered a massive bombardment of the German massive bombardment of the German lines that would last a week and could be lines that would last a week and could be heard across the Channel in England.heard across the Channel in England.

But the German troops were deeply dug But the German troops were deeply dug in and the bombardment did not reach in and the bombardment did not reach them.them.

Once the shelling was over, of the Once the shelling was over, of the 100,000 British troops who attacked the 100,000 British troops who attacked the German lines, 20,000 were killed and German lines, 20,000 were killed and over 40,000 were wounded.over 40,000 were wounded.

It was the single worst day in deaths It was the single worst day in deaths and casualties in British military history. and casualties in British military history.

Eventually this battle, which did not Eventually this battle, which did not change the front line trenches much at change the front line trenches much at all, involved over 2 million men along a all, involved over 2 million men along a 30 mile front. British and French losses 30 mile front. British and French losses numbered nearly three-quarters of a numbered nearly three-quarters of a million men.million men.

Third Battle of YpresThird Battle of Ypres British General Douglas Haig often British General Douglas Haig often

believed his army was on the verge of a believed his army was on the verge of a breakthrough. His optimism resulted in breakthrough. His optimism resulted in a plan in 1917 to attack the German a plan in 1917 to attack the German lines just outside of Ypres, Belgium. lines just outside of Ypres, Belgium.

This would be the third battle at Ypres, This would be the third battle at Ypres, the other two having taken place in the other two having taken place in 1914, and 1915. Once Haig's army 1914, and 1915. Once Haig's army broke through, he envisioned it broke through, he envisioned it sweeping across the low plains and sweeping across the low plains and swinging north to the sea. swinging north to the sea. 

On the morning of June 7, 1917, the Allies On the morning of June 7, 1917, the Allies set off a series of nineteen giant mines set off a series of nineteen giant mines dug over eighteen months under the dug over eighteen months under the German lines south-east of Ypres. German lines south-east of Ypres.

Together with a sophisticated counter-Together with a sophisticated counter-battery operation, this stroke completely battery operation, this stroke completely disrupted and disorganized German disrupted and disorganized German defensive positions.defensive positions.

The initial advance ended successfully, The initial advance ended successfully, but then weeks passed before the British but then weeks passed before the British troops were ordered to continue by which troops were ordered to continue by which time the wettest fall in years had set in. In time the wettest fall in years had set in. In this three-month battle, men, animals and this three-month battle, men, animals and equipment were swallowed up in mud that equipment were swallowed up in mud that was often like quicksand, Haig's ambitious was often like quicksand, Haig's ambitious plan became yet another failure.plan became yet another failure.