Strategy and Warfare of WWI… The Effects of Technology and Geography on War

Setting the Stage By the summer of 1914, millions of soldiers from opposing alliances marched off to the battle fronts. Expecting a short conflict, many soldiers were shocked to find themselves in the midst of a long, bloody stalemate (deadlock) by fall.

Battle Plan for Central Powers Facing a war on two fronts, the German General von Schlieffen designed the “Schlieffen Plan”. The plan called for German forces to quickly attack and defeat French and British forces on the Western Front first, then turn to face the slower Russians on the Eastern Front.

War Plan for Allied Powers France, Britain and Russia hoped to use their geographic locations to their advantage. They looked to force Germany and Austria-Hungary to fight a two front war, thus dividing their forces up to do so.

Map of Europe:

Battle of the Marne 1914 By early September, Germany swept into France and was camped on the outskirts of Paris. Calling in all available reinforcements, the Allies regrouped to force the Germans into retreat near the Marne River. Although it was the first major battle on the Western Front, the Battle of the Marne was perhaps the single most important event of the war.

German Soldiers Resting after the Battle of the Marne

Failure of the Schlieffen Plan With early losses on the Western front, Germany knew that it would have to fight the war on two fronts as they hoped to avoid. As Russian forces moved in from the East, Germany was forced to send troops from the West to the East. The Schlieffen Plan had failed!

Trench Warfare Definition: Fighting from parallel ditches. Purpose: To protect soldiers from enemy machine gun and artillery fire.

3 Strategies of Trench Warfare Bombardment- Attacking enemy trenches at long range with heavy artillery canons and airplanes. Going “Over the Top”- Sending waves of foot soldiers out of the trenches to take over the enemy trenches. "Creeping Barrage“- Sending soldiers out behind the fire of guns and artillery (combination of the two).

Images of Trench Warfare

Difficulties & Dangers of Trench Warfare Trench Foot Trench Teeth Disease Rats Dysentery Limited food/drink Shell Shock htm

New Weapons of WWI Machine guns Zeppelins Heavy Artillery Submarines/Torpedoes Flame Throwers Poisonous Gas Airplanes Tanks

Machine Guns

Zeppelins

Heavy Artillery

Submarines

Flame Throwers

Bi-Plane (“Red Baron”)

Gas!!!

Tanks

Impact of Technology on WWI All of these improvements in War technology led to increases in death counts. WWI produced more casualties than any other war up to that point in history!!!