How was World War I Fought?

Europe in 1914Europe in 1914

The British government wanted to encourage men to enlist for war.

They said the war would be safe, hardly any fighting, a good lark and over by Christmas.

They used advertising posters to encourage this idea!

A picture of soldiers going ‘Over the Top’

The reality of ‘going over the top’ was very different!

How the uniform and equipment changed after just three weeks in the

trenches…

Posters always showed men ready and willing to fight.

They never showed the boredom of the trenches or actual fighting taking place.

Why do you think the government showed no fighting?

No smiling and relaxed faces…

No clean uniforms…

Their equipment is scattered everywhere…

Boredom and sleep are obvious…

The soldiers had very little decent food, and what food they had was often attacked by rats.

These rats were the size of small rabbits and badgers because they had fed on the decomposing bodies of dead soldiers.

Trench WarfareTrench Warfare:: Basic Info.Basic Info.

► New weapons used New weapons used seemed to be made seemed to be made more for defense; more for defense; so trenches were so trenches were made for the made for the soldiers protection.soldiers protection.

► There are two sides.There are two sides.► Middle = No Man’s Middle = No Man’s

Land.Land.

Trench WarfareTrench Warfare:: SystemSystem

Trench WarfareTrench Warfare:: TechnologyTechnology

► Tanks: Not a Tanks: Not a favorite. Broke favorite. Broke down a lot.down a lot.

► Machine guns: Machine guns: Rapid fire. Killed Rapid fire. Killed more soldiersmore soldiers

► ArtilleryArtillery► Gas: Killed or left Gas: Killed or left

permanent scars.permanent scars.

Trench WarfareTrench Warfare:: ConditionsConditions

► LiceLice► Rats Rats ► Cramped upCramped up► Flooded trenchesFlooded trenches► DiseasesDiseases► Decaying fleshDecaying flesh

Trench WarfareTrench Warfare:: AnalysisAnalysis

► This was their new This was their new tactic in war.tactic in war.

► After the war, it had After the war, it had left horrific scars.left horrific scars.

► Made many people Made many people not want to have not want to have another World War another World War ever again.ever again.