Copy of 2023 Fighting WWI_Nature and Practice of War

Fighting WWI: The Nature and Practice of War

Total War

• Definition: A condition where a country utilizes all human, economic, and military resources for warfare.

• Characteristics:

  • Creation of large fighting forces through conscription.

  • Significant civilian involvement in the war effort.

  • High civilian casualties due to the extensive nature of the conflict.

  • Development of new weapons to gain an advantage.

  • Expanded scope of government involvement in war efforts.

War Fronts

• Overview of Fighting:

  • Although global in scope, the conflict largely concentrated on two main fronts:

    • Western Front:

      • Spanned from the English Channel to Switzerland.

      • Characterized by trench warfare, notably marked by stalemates and attrition.

    • Eastern Front:

      • Extended from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea.

  • Additional fronts included battles in Asia, Africa, Italy, and the Ottoman Empire.

Land Warfare Tactics

• Western Front

  • Initial mobility through Belgium shifted to trench warfare, resulting in a stalemate.

  • Notable tactics involved heavy artillery shelling, gas attacks, and attempts to overtake enemy trenches.

Trench Warfare

• Types of Trenches Used by Allies:

  • Fire and Attack Trench: 50 yards to a mile from German trenches.

  • Support Trench: Supplies and reinforcements for the front line.

  • Reserve Trench: For additional troops and supplies during an overrun.

  • Communication Trench: Connects all types for movement and messaging.

• German Trenches:

  • More sophisticated with electricity, amenities, and deeper constructions compared to Allied trenches, which were often open-air and muddy.

Important Battles

• Verdun:

  • Significant German offensive marked by massive casualties and high moral stakes for France.

• Somme:

  • Notable for the bloodiest day in British military history, with over 60,000 casualties in one day.

• Eastern Front Battles:

  • Battle of Tannenberg: Major German victory against Russia.

  • Brusilov Offensive: Last major Russian attack which ultimately led to heavy losses and discontentment at home.

Ottoman and Italian Fronts

• Gallipoli Campaign (1915):

  • A disastrous assault by Allies aiming to open up the Dardanelles.

• Italian Front:

  • Italians joined Allies under the Treaty of London but faced severe losses, including at the Battle of Caporetto.

Themes in Warfare

• Technological Advances:

  • Introduction of machine guns, tanks, and poison gas dramatically altered warfare tactics.

• U.S. Entry:

  • Factors for U.S. involvement included the unrestricted submarine warfare and the Zimmerman Telegram.

• Impact of Russian Revolution:

  • The revolution revealed systemic weaknesses and led to Russia withdrawing from the war.

Conclusion

• The end of WWI was shaped by a combination of military, technological, and societal factors, culminating in the eventual defeat of Central Powers and an armistice signed on November 11, 1918.