The Great WarThe Great War

The Schlieffen Plan FailsThe Schlieffen Plan Fails The German offensive was stopped at the The German offensive was stopped at the

Battle of the Marne, just outside Paris, in 1914Battle of the Marne, just outside Paris, in 1914

““Race to the Sea”Race to the Sea” Following the Battle of the Following the Battle of the

Marne, both sides began a Marne, both sides began a desperate attempt to outflank desperate attempt to outflank each other in a “race to the each other in a “race to the sea”sea”

Neither side was able to gain Neither side was able to gain an advantage and “dug in” an advantage and “dug in” (built trenches in which to take (built trenches in which to take cover from enemy fire and cover from enemy fire and bombardment)bombardment)

Trench WarfareTrench Warfare

The conflict soon The conflict soon developed into a developed into a “war of “war of attrition,” attrition,” (trying to tire (trying to tire each other out) with each other out) with neither side gaining neither side gaining much ground throughout much ground throughout 4 long years.4 long years.

WWI is known mostly for WWI is known mostly for its “trenches” – long, its “trenches” – long, narrow, dugout pathsnarrow, dugout paths

The Ideal TrenchThe Ideal Trench

““Going Over the Top”Going Over the Top”

Both sides would exit their trenches and run across Both sides would exit their trenches and run across No Man’s Land in an attempt to capture an enemy No Man’s Land in an attempt to capture an enemy trenchtrench

““No Man’s Land”No Man’s Land”

These trenches were These trenches were often very close to often very close to each other, with the each other, with the area in between area in between known as “No Man’s known as “No Man’s Land.”Land.”

Ironically, “No Man’s Ironically, “No Man’s Land” is were many Land” is were many soldiers lost their soldiers lost their lives.lives.

Death and DestructionDeath and Destruction

Modern WeaponsModern Weapons Machine GunsMachine Guns ArtilleryArtillery

Modern Weapons Modern Weapons Cont’d…Cont’d… Poison GasPoison Gas FlamethrowersFlamethrowers

TanksTanks

Fighter PlanesFighter Planes

BattleshipsBattleships

Foot InspectionFoot Inspection

““Trench Foot”Trench Foot”

CasualtiesCasualties

Life in the trenches…Life in the trenches… My memories are of sheer terror and the horror of My memories are of sheer terror and the horror of

seeing men sobbing because they had trench foot seeing men sobbing because they had trench foot that had turned gangrenous. They knew they were that had turned gangrenous. They knew they were going to lose a leg. Memories of lice in your going to lose a leg. Memories of lice in your clothing driving you crazy. Filth and lack of clothing driving you crazy. Filth and lack of privacy. Of huge rats that showed no fear of you as privacy. Of huge rats that showed no fear of you as they stole your food rations. And cold deep wet they stole your food rations. And cold deep wet mud everywhere. And of course, corpses. I'd never mud everywhere. And of course, corpses. I'd never seen a dead body before I went to war. But in the seen a dead body before I went to war. But in the trenches the dead are lying all around you. You trenches the dead are lying all around you. You could be talking to the fellow next to you when could be talking to the fellow next to you when suddenly he'd be hit by a sniper and fall dead suddenly he'd be hit by a sniper and fall dead beside you. And there he‘d stay for days. beside you. And there he‘d stay for days.

Arthur Savage, Age 92Arthur Savage, Age 92

Life in the trenches…Life in the trenches…

Just ask yourself, what would it be like to Just ask yourself, what would it be like to live in a ditch?live in a ditch?

Rats the size of cats, millions of themRats the size of cats, millions of them Trench FootTrench Foot Enemy machine guns, snipers, artillery, Enemy machine guns, snipers, artillery,

tanks, airplanes, mines, etc.tanks, airplanes, mines, etc. Mud and water everywhereMud and water everywhere Cold and never enough foodCold and never enough food

Casualties of WarCasualties of WarCountry Mobilized Forces Total Casualties % of Force

Russia 12,000,000 9,150,000 76%

British Empire 9,000,000 3,200,000 36%

France 8,400,000 6,200,000 73%

Germany 11,000,000 7,100,000 65%

Austria-Hungary 7,800,000 7,000,000 90%

““Lest We Forget”Lest We Forget”