British Sector of the Western Front

When was world war 1?

July 28, 1914 - November 11, 1918

Who were the allies in WWI of Britain

British Empire

France

Russian Empire

Who were they fighting against?

Germany

Austria-Hungary

Ottoman empire (Turkey)

What were the four battles in WW1?

Ypres

The Somme

Arras

Cambrai

https://quizlet.com/gb/391694239/edexcel-gcse-history-the-british-sector-of-the-western-front-flash-cards/

Why was there so much fighting during the Battle of Ypres?

It stood on the most direct route to the channel ports (Calais and Dunkirk)

If Germany captured these lands, it would cut off most of the supplies to British Army

Ypres Salient was vulnerable - German forces overlooked the Salient so they could fire down, and see layout defences

What was first used during the Second Battle of Ypres (April-May 1915)

Poison Chlorine gas by Germans

What was the outcome of the Second Battle of Ypres?

British lost 59,000 men, but still kept Ypres.

Germany moved 2 miles closer to Ypres

Why was it significant that the British took control of Hill 60 in April 1915?

Germany no longer have high ground, so they can not fire down or spy on them?

What was wrong with the terrain during the Second Battle of Ypres?

The terrain at Ypres included heavy soil, which was easily waterlogged and flooded.

This presented problems for stretcher bearers when they needed to remove the wounded from the battlefields.

It was difficult to move on foot through wet and muddy ground.

When was The Battle of the Somme?

July-November 1916

What was the aim for the British?

Take ground from Germans

What was the casualty and death toll by the end of the Battle?

400,000 causalities

60,000 deaths

What were the main consequences of the Battle of the Somme?

Medical services needing to work quickly and under pressure

Mentally suffering from 'Shell Shock'

Surgeons, medics, and stretcher bearers had to adapt to all the injured

The use of tanks created uneven ground, which made it difficult for the wounded to be transported for treatment after the battle.

What were the two tactics used during the Somme?

Creeping barrage:

Networks of tunnels joined ancient tunnels and quarries under city: turned into rooms with water + electricity

First use of tanks:

450 tanks used against German Front Line unexpected

When was the Battle of Arras?

April-May 1917

What happened during the Battle of Arras?

Soldiers from Britain and New Zealand dug a network of tunnels in the chalky ground.

They added rooms and fitted them with running water and electricity.

These tunnels were used as accommodation for the soldiers.

An underground hospital was added with operating theatres. The tunnels were also used to shelter the soldiers during the fighting.

Underground hospital at Arras

British WW1 field hospital abandoned in 1917

Could take in 700 casualties

Only in service or three days before a German shell hit the roof, collapsing it.

Challenges of providing treatment underground

Risk of enemy shelling

Dark and dingy (difficulties in installing running water and electricity)

Difficulties moving supplies in - horse drawn railway was used

Difficult to achieve and maintain aseptic conditions

When was the Battle of Cambrai?

November-December 1917

What happened during the Battle of Cambrai?

Tanks were used during the attack after being used on a smaller scale during the Battle of the Somme.

The British forces used over 450 tanks. Initially, the attack on the Germans was effective.

However, the tanks did not have enough infantry support and could not defend the area.

What was the consequence of using tanks?

British lost almost all of the ground that they had taken.

What problems occurred when treating wounded?

Constant dropping of bombs left craters and holes that made the movement and transportation of injured soldiers difficult.

Bacteria in the soil led to many infected wounds.

Stretcher bearers needed to work day and night, but they were not always able to see their route clearly and were sometimes trying to move during fighting.

Ambulances, which were motorised or horse drawn, found it difficult to move in the mud. This led to soldiers being left injured for days before their rescue.

High casualty rates during battles slowed down medical treatment.

Where did the Trenches stretch to?

From the French and Belgian coasts of the English channel, down through those countries and all the way towards Switzerland.

What was the Front line trench?

Trenches were closest to the enemy where attacks would be made to No Mans Land

What was the Communication trench?

Trenches that ran between other trenches and connected them

Used to move between trenches

What was the Support trench?

A trench approximately 80m behind the frontline trench where troops would retreat if the frontline came under attack

What was the Reserve trench?

Dug 100m behind the support trenches. Soldiers would use these to prepare for a counter-attack.

What was the No Man's Land?

Stretch of land between the Allied and German trenches.

What was the Dugout?

Gug into the sides of trenches.

Men would use these when they needed protection and rest.

What was found in the Trenches?

Latrine

Sandbags

Barbed Wire

Periscope

Fire step - Where soldiers in a trench stand to fire.

Duckboard

What pattern were the trenches dug in?

Zig Zag

Why were trenches dug in a 'zig zag' pattern

Prevent enemy soldiers from being able to see, or fire, directly along a trench.

What were the problems with the Trenches?

The trenches were narrow and often got blocked. This led to problems moving and treating the wounded during battles.

Terrible conditions: muddy, unhygienic

Water-logged, caused Trench Foot