2. A picture of soldiers going
The British government wanted to encourage men to enlist for war.
They said the war would be safe, hardly any fighting, a good time and over by Christmas.
They used advertising posters to encourage this idea Or Propaganda
A picture of soldiers going
‘Over the Top’

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

5. Trenches Details Barbed wire: to make running at the trench difficult.
Sandbagged parapet: to stop the trench collapsing.
Parados: to stop ‘shrapnel’ getting into the trench.
Fire step: to shoot from.
Duck Boards: stopped the bottom of the trench getting very muddy and slippery.

6. Trenches
The British and French Armies in Northern France first dug Trenches along the Western Front = borders of Germany and France about 500 miles. The aim of trenches was to act as a barrier against the rapid advance of the German army. At first they were quickly and easily constructed using few materials other than sandbags and a shovel. Space in between the trenches known as “no man’s land.” But then Trenches created a stalemate. No one was advancing
Advantages: easy to make, easy to defend, cheap to build, don’t need lots of men to defend them.
Disadvantages: wet, cold, hard to get in an out of without being seen by the enemy. Trenches were very dirty and unhygienic as there was no water or flushing toilets.

7. Soldiers were expected to carry all of their equipment with them at all times.
They were supposed to keep it clean and in good condition.

8. How the uniform and equipment changed after just three weeks in the trenches…

9. Posters always showed men ready and willing to fight.
They never showed the boredom of the trenches or actual fighting taking place.
Question:
Why do you think the government showed no fighting?

11. No smiling and relaxed faces…
No clean uniforms…
Their equipment is scattered everywhere…
Boredom and sleep are obvious…

12. Mass Devastation

13. Technology
New weapons also increased death toll killing people more effectively
Poison Gas – introduced by the Germans but used on both sides
Machine guns – improved during WWI could wipe out wave of attackers
Tanks – could cross many types of land was introduced by the British
Submarines – introduced by the Germans also known as U-boats. Used torpedoes to sink ships, undetected by boats. Big impact on war
Planes – airplane warfare first started in Both sides built faster and stronger planes that could shoot and drop bombs. Started with 850 planes, up to 10,000 by the end.

14. Freezing Winters