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)
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