practices of war (world war one) ib history

Samuel Perrino Martinez. ISU. IB Diploma.

1Practices of war


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


3 Technological developments and theaters of war

The extent of mobilization and resources

Theaters of war: Land Air Sea

Technology


4 How important is the technology to understand wars? http://

science.howstuffworks.com/war-drive-technological-advancement.htm

http://science.howstuffworks.com/war-drive-technological-advancement.htm

http://science.howstuffworks.com/war-drive-technological-advancement.htm


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)


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


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


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


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

http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-i/world-war-i-history/videos/life-in-a-trench


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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0V1yRrjMmM


11 No man´s land


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)


13 Machine guns


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


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


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




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


18


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)


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


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)


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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKgHtYBr7lE


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?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrHFEPu_ANI


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


25 Technology. The poison gas


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


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


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


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”


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


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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RG3sH5e4ROg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdihcCMAuE8


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.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Tv5gBa9DQs


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


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


35


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)


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


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)


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


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 …


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)


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


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)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZHAm7Qc-eg


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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6iuF6oOejI


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


46 The war at sea


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


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


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


50


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


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


53 The war in the air


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


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


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)


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


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


59

Human and economic resources in WWI


60 Human and economic resources

Human resources- Military manpower Economic resources- War production


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?


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)


63 War production

What kind of military material was required for the different sides?

Munitions (Weapons) Industrial workforce Food


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)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AD09Xfw1EOc


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


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)


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)


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)


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.)


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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIV1_L_zJ4Q

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhAxTA1EEaw


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)


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


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

practices of war (world war one) ib history

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