World War I Battles: Somme and Passchendaele

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Questions and Answers

What was the main reason for Britain's attack at the Somme?

To gain vast territories

To eliminate the German forces

To take the pressure off the French army at Verdun (correct)

To capture Berlin

The Battle of the Somme began on 1st July 1916.

True

What was the outcome of the soldiers trying to cross No Man's Land?

Many soldiers were shot while trying to cross.

The Battle of the Somme lasted for _____ months.

5 Signup and view all the answers

Match the event with the correct details related to the Battle of the Somme:

Battle Start = 1st July 1916 Battle End = 18 November 1916 Initial Order Given = To go over the top Territorial Gain = Only a few square kilometres had been gained Signup and view all the answers

How many soldiers were approximately killed in the Battle of the Somme?

Hundreds of thousands Signup and view all the answers

Generals believed artillery bombardment destroyed German barbed wire before the battle.

True Signup and view all the answers

Name the General who led the offensive at the Battle of the Somme.

General Haig Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary reason the German troops were not taken by surprise during the artillery attack on June 24, 1916?

They were able to observe British troop movements. Signup and view all the answers

British artillery was completely effective in destroying German concrete bunkers.

False Signup and view all the answers

What type of shells were mostly estimated to have failed to explode during the artillery attack?

duds Signup and view all the answers

The British soldiers were ordered to advance at a __________ pace, which made the situation worse.

slow Signup and view all the answers

Match the following events or terms with their descriptions:

Creeping barrage = A tactic used to provide cover for troops advancing. Tanks = Mechanized units that faced operational failures on the battlefield. Haig = The commander who continued sending men over the top. Communication trenches = Narrow trenches connecting front-line and support trenches. Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the destruction of the barbed wire surrounding German trenches during the attack?

It was lifted and became tangled. Signup and view all the answers

Haig had full confidence in the tactics and believed they would lead to victory.

True Signup and view all the answers

What were the German soldiers able to use effectively when British soldiers left their trenches?

machine guns Signup and view all the answers

What material did the Germans reinforce their dugouts with?

Concrete Signup and view all the answers

The British spotter planes were able to accurately assess the situation during the bombardment.

False Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome for British soldiers upon advancing after the mine at Hawthorne Ridge was detonated?

They were easy targets for German machine gun fire. Signup and view all the answers

The British artillery bombardment was expected to cut the __________ defending the German trenches.

barbed wire Signup and view all the answers

Match the British errors with their corresponding effects during the Battle of the Somme:

Ordered a bombardment for seven days = Germans warned that an attack was coming Failed to cut the barbed wire = British soldiers faced greater difficulty advancing Detonated the Hawthorne Ridge mine too early = Easy targets for German machine guns Misjudged the effectiveness of the bombardment = Germans returned to their positions safely Signup and view all the answers

How many casualties did the British suffer on the first day of the Battle of the Somme?

57,470 Signup and view all the answers

The Battle of the Somme successfully destroyed the last of the German professional army.

True Signup and view all the answers

What did Haig mistakenly believe regarding the German defenders after the bombardment?

He believed they were dead. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following claims about Haig's leadership during the Somme is supported by Source B?

Haig's leadership resulted in a considerable weakening of the German army. Signup and view all the answers

The introduction of tanks during the Somme was immediately effective in combat.

False Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the key aims of the Somme offensive?

To draw German troops away from Verdun and relieve pressure on the French. Signup and view all the answers

The __________ barrage was used successfully during the Somme.

creeping Signup and view all the answers

Match the following statements with their corresponding interpretations or outcomes:

Haig weakened the German army = Achieved a key aim of the Somme Heavy casualties were incurred = Acknowledgement of the Somme's failures New tactics were introduced = Prove decisive in later battles Reluctance to accept criticism = Highlighted a failing of Haig Signup and view all the answers

What was one aspect of Haig's leadership that was criticized according to Source B?

His reluctance to accept advice from peers. Signup and view all the answers

Extract C states that the Somme achieved none of its main objectives.

False Signup and view all the answers

What significant change occurred in the German army after the Somme?

Many of its best soldiers were lost and replaced with less experienced men. Signup and view all the answers

What does Source B suggest about Haig's overall success as a general?

He was a successful general because he won wars. Signup and view all the answers

The Battle of the Somme resulted in a significant territorial gain for the British forces.

False Signup and view all the answers

What was the total number of British casualties during the Battle of the Somme?

420,000 Signup and view all the answers

Haig's reluctance to accept __________ from his peers is highlighted as one of his key failings.

advice and criticism Signup and view all the answers

According to the document, what was one major criticism of Haig's tactics?

He was unwilling to review and adapt his strategies. Signup and view all the answers

Match the following aspects of Haig's leadership to their corresponding descriptions:

Success in winning wars = Haig is judged a success based on war outcomes Casualty rate at the Somme = 420,000 British casualties reported Reluctance to adapt = Failure to change battle plans when necessary Losses on the first day = 57,000 British troops killed or injured Signup and view all the answers

Haig claimed that the total losses during the battle were lower than expected.

False Signup and view all the answers

What did Haig believe was the only way to avoid loss of life during the Battle of the Somme?

There was no other way of avoiding loss of life. Signup and view all the answers

Which strategy did Douglas Haig utilize during the Hundred Days Offensive?

All Arms strategy Signup and view all the answers

Douglas Haig was well-experienced in trench warfare before the Hundred Days Offensive.

False Signup and view all the answers

What was one outcome of the tactics employed during the Hundred Days Offensive?

The Germans were broken and the war ended. Signup and view all the answers

Haig's work in establishing the British Legion and the _________ suggests he cared for the regular soldier.

Poppy Appeal Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms with their meaning:

All Arms strategy = Using multiple military resources in combination Lions led by donkeys = Soldiers being bravely led by incompetent leaders Battle of Passchendaele = A controversial World War I battle marked by significant casualties The Poppy Appeal = Campaign to honor soldiers who died in war Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'lions led by donkeys' imply?

Brave soldiers were ineptly led by incompetent leaders. Signup and view all the answers

The casualties suffered by British and German troops during the battles were deemed acceptable by Douglas Haig.

True Signup and view all the answers

List one criticism made towards Haig over the Battle of Passchendaele.

Too many lives were lost. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Summary of the provided text

The provided text is a collection of lesson resources for students about the Battle of the Somme and the Battle of Passchendaele. It covers the causes, events, and consequences of these significant battles in World War I, along with analysis of leadership and military strategies employed.
The resources present historical accounts, excerpts from primary source documents (e.g., soldiers' diaries), statistical data, and modern historical analyses.
The materials emphasize the human cost, environmental factors (like mud), and strategic decisions made during these battles.
Resources include revision questions and tasks to test student understanding.

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Description

This quiz focuses on the Battle of the Somme and the Battle of Passchendaele, exploring their causes, events, and consequences during World War I. Students will analyze leadership, military strategies, and the significant human costs of these battles through various historical accounts and primary source documents. Revision questions and tasks are included to enhance understanding.

World War I Battles: Somme and Passchendaele

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Questions and Answers

What was the main reason for Britain's attack at the Somme?

The Battle of the Somme began on 1st July 1916.

What was the outcome of the soldiers trying to cross No Man's Land?

The Battle of the Somme lasted for _____ months.

Match the event with the correct details related to the Battle of the Somme:

How many soldiers were approximately killed in the Battle of the Somme?

Generals believed artillery bombardment destroyed German barbed wire before the battle.

Name the General who led the offensive at the Battle of the Somme.

What was the primary reason the German troops were not taken by surprise during the artillery attack on June 24, 1916?

British artillery was completely effective in destroying German concrete bunkers.

What type of shells were mostly estimated to have failed to explode during the artillery attack?

The British soldiers were ordered to advance at a __________ pace, which made the situation worse.

Match the following events or terms with their descriptions:

What was the outcome of the destruction of the barbed wire surrounding German trenches during the attack?

Haig had full confidence in the tactics and believed they would lead to victory.

What were the German soldiers able to use effectively when British soldiers left their trenches?

What material did the Germans reinforce their dugouts with?

The British spotter planes were able to accurately assess the situation during the bombardment.

What was the outcome for British soldiers upon advancing after the mine at Hawthorne Ridge was detonated?

The British artillery bombardment was expected to cut the __________ defending the German trenches.

Match the British errors with their corresponding effects during the Battle of the Somme:

How many casualties did the British suffer on the first day of the Battle of the Somme?

The Battle of the Somme successfully destroyed the last of the German professional army.

What did Haig mistakenly believe regarding the German defenders after the bombardment?

Which of the following claims about Haig's leadership during the Somme is supported by Source B?

The introduction of tanks during the Somme was immediately effective in combat.

What was one of the key aims of the Somme offensive?

The __________ barrage was used successfully during the Somme.

Match the following statements with their corresponding interpretations or outcomes:

What was one aspect of Haig's leadership that was criticized according to Source B?

Extract C states that the Somme achieved none of its main objectives.

What significant change occurred in the German army after the Somme?

What does Source B suggest about Haig's overall success as a general?

The Battle of the Somme resulted in a significant territorial gain for the British forces.

What was the total number of British casualties during the Battle of the Somme?

Haig's reluctance to accept __________ from his peers is highlighted as one of his key failings.

According to the document, what was one major criticism of Haig's tactics?

Match the following aspects of Haig's leadership to their corresponding descriptions:

Haig claimed that the total losses during the battle were lower than expected.

What did Haig believe was the only way to avoid loss of life during the Battle of the Somme?

Which strategy did Douglas Haig utilize during the Hundred Days Offensive?

Douglas Haig was well-experienced in trench warfare before the Hundred Days Offensive.

What was one outcome of the tactics employed during the Hundred Days Offensive?

Haig's work in establishing the British Legion and the _________ suggests he cared for the regular soldier.

Match the following terms with their meaning:

What does the term 'lions led by donkeys' imply?

The casualties suffered by British and German troops during the battles were deemed acceptable by Douglas Haig.

List one criticism made towards Haig over the Battle of Passchendaele.

Study Notes

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