Disaster On All Fronts The Western Front

The Western Front The ‘Westerner’ generals had no shortage of men. The French had millions of conscripts. The British had millions of Volunteers. (Recruiting campaigns) The Allied generals were sure of victory. (sheer numbers)

Recruiting Campaign

Allies Attack the German Trenches (1915) March – “ The Battle of Neuve Chapelle April – “The Second Battle of Ypres” May – “The Battle of Arras and Aubers” September – “The Battle of Loos” 300,000 soldiers were killed and very little land was gained from the Germans.

Neuve Chapelle British General Haig, ordered that “The attacks are to be pressed regardless of loss” 3 days -11,000 dead 2 km gained

Second Battle of Ypres April 1915, the Germans try to gain ground. Germans use chlorine gas on 2 French brigades.

May The French lose 120,000 men in an attack at Arras. At Aubers, the British send men “over the top”. The German machine gunners were told to “fire until the barrels burst.”

Battle of Loos The British send 6 divisions “over the top. 11 days later 60,000 British soldiers dead. Sheer numbers was not going to win the war.

Other Fronts The Eastern Front was even worse for the Allies. The Russian retreat back into their own country. Italy joined the Allies in 1915 because they were promised land and money at the end of the war. Italian soldiers are badly trained, led, and had poor equipment. (stalemate with Austria)