The Western Front - Final Post

From 1914 to 1918, the French, Britain and Germany forces were playing tug of war over French soil. The Germans first used chlorine gas on the opposition durign the second battle of Ypres in 1915. Sixty three percent of the 95,000 casualties were British soldiers. When the gas first appeared it apprehended the French and British troops, allowing Germany to take over Ypres, but fortunately, the Canadians (a British colony) helped them out.

One of the most gruelling battles occurred in 1916, with the Germans attempting to take over city of Verdun and as that happened; the French-British alliance formed an offensive attack which is known as the Battle of Sommes. This pushed the Germans further back however, approximately 615,000 British and French troops suffered casualties.
In March 1917, the German line receded by a further 50 miles, to retreat to what they thought of was an invincible defence, fronted with barbed wire and concrete structures.  It was known as the Hindenburg Line. Later that year, after the British gained land, they reached the infamous Hindenburg Line. The so called ‘invincible’ trench was pummelled by 476 British tanks. With this, the British gained much more land, but it did not sustain and sadly, the German regained the land they lost.

In 1918, the Germans acquired more land – with the further help of Russian troops. They knew the French-British had the aid of the American troops, so the Germans made a final attack in an attempt to win the war. This was unsuccessful and it was only time before the French-British, along with the Americans would attack and win.

This conclusion was correct – on August 8 Germany surrendered and thus concluded the battles on the Western Front.

Video Analysis (Battle of Somme)

The Battle of Somme, 1916 (Video)


Joffre, along with Sir Douglas Haig was confident with the success of this offence and sent 750,000 to the German line. Unfortunately, Joffre's predictions were not to be met; the troops had failed to destroy the line after the artillery bombardment. The BEF (British Expeditionary Force) advanced upon the Germans with rifles, bayonets and machine guns The On the very first day of attack, on 1 July 1916, the British-French lost an enormous 58,000 troops. It was recorded the single bloodiest day of battle in British military.

This video was chosen because of its informative content. It was relevent to the Western Front and included an over-voice explaining the basic  and movements throughout the Battle of Somme. It also contained detailed maps, diagrams, images, original video exerts of the British troops.This video depicts the operation run by the British-French forces in 1916. French Commander-in-Chief, Joseph Joffre initiated the massive attack that he hoped would defeat the Germans.

Recollection (First Person)

My eyes slowly adjust to the flickering, fluorescent light. I examine the artificially lighted room and find myself looking into the eyes of a young woman. Her anxious face instantly relaxes and she whispers, ‘Welcome back.’ 

My hands brush against linen sheets as I try to steady myself upright. Before I can sit straight, a cry escapes my throat. An excruciating pain shoots from my abdomen, restricting my breathing. A cool, soft hand immediately covers my cheek and my body settles. I take deep, deliberate breaths.       

She lightly touches my back for support as she lays me down. I cannot speak, just simply watch her as she wets a cloth and dabs it on my forehead. The pain extends up and down my body; I can feel a fever radiating from my skin. 

‘You’ve been at the casualty station for over a week now. A soldier took you in from the Western Front with a bullet beneath your lung. You’re fortunate that you’re even here.’ I close my eyes and recall the vague yet familiar scene.

I watch my breath condense before my very eyes, but my attention immediately averts to the sudden bright flash overhead. The thundering of bullets reverberates over the trenches and a light whistle grows louder. Following the signal, I leap up from my place and race forward.

The whistling approaches overhead, but I do not hear an explosion. I hear nothing but a humming, feel nothing but a throbbing under my chest and a scorching heat lick my face. Then I see nothing but black.

Photo: Australian Army Medical Corps personnel

http://www.ww1westernfront.gov.au/pozieres-albert/albert-communal-cemetery.html

Major Battles in the Western Front: Introduction

The Western Front was a line of trenches that extended up to 700km from the Belgian coast southwards to the Swiss border that was initiated in 1914. The system was controlled by the Germans and a series of major battles broke out when the opposition attempted to break through. Australian forces first arrived at the Western Front in April, 1916.

The Germans originally planned to sweep through France, consequently surrounding Paris before the Russians could mobilise their forces. The British alliance soon advanced upon the German troops, and they soon retreated back to the river. Both oppositions fought their way towards the North Sea, where the Western Front was further established.

The first major battle was situated in Ypres. The British Army were assisted by the Indian Army as the Germans tried to reach the coast. Fortunately, the Alliance managed to resist the offense and eventually defeated the opposing force.

On 21 February, 1916 one of the largest battles on the Western Front claimed up to 750,000 casualties from both the French and German troops. The Germans devised a large artillery firing in the city of Verdun and soon advanced through. Another battle broke out in order to win back Verdun which resulted with another 60,000 casualties.

 There were several other significant battles that occurred on the Western Front, which finally ended when Armistice Day was declared on 11 November, 1918. These battles took place in Ypres, Sommes, Marne, Verdun and Cambrai.

Photo: Map of the Western Front
http://althistory.wikia.com/wiki/Western_Front_(World_War_I)_(Central_Victory)

Introduction to World War I

World War I, (also known as the Great War) was a travesty that went from 1914 - 1918 mainly involving the major powers of Europe back then: Russia, France, Britain, Italy, Germany and Austria-Hungary. There were more than 15 million casualties and it was the first of many wars Australia would be fighting in the 20th century.

During this time in Europe, an alliance was formed called the 'Triple Entente', consisting of: France, Britain and Russia. Fearing what this alliance could bring, Germany, Italy and Austria-Hungary allied with each other and called it the 'Triple Alliance'.
Proceeding the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand - heir to the Austrian-Hungary empire - led to Austria-Hungary declaring war on Serbia, because the assassin was of Slavic descent. Gavrilo Princip, a member of the group Black Hand, shot Ferdinand and his wife three times altogether when the couple was waving to the people in a street in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Because both Russia and Serbia were predominately Christian Orthodox, Russia went to help Serbia fight, but the Triple Alliance meant that Germany would intervene and instead Russia fought against them. This then later brought in France and Britain, because they were apart of the Triple Entente.
Alliance, militarism, imperialism and nationalism were all factors in causing this war.

http://www.historyonthenet.com/shop/images/Display/wwoalla3.jpg