WWI Trench Warfare Flashcards

Questions and Answers

Define Trench Warfare.

Was a form of military conflict in which opposing sides fought one another from trenches facing one another.

Explain 'War of Movement.'

War of movement consisted of a pattern of 'action' and 'reaction' where both sides advanced at the same time.

Briefly describe 'War of Attrition.'

A war of attrition was based around which side can survive the longest and which side would give in.

Define 'Stalemate.'

A deadlock where neither side can progress. Signup and view all the answers

What was the 'Front Line'?

The front line was the first line of defense and attack for the trenches. Signup and view all the answers

Why were trenches dug in a 'zig-zag' pattern?

Trenches were dug in this way so that if there was a blast from an exploding shell, it would be confined to a small section of the trench. Signup and view all the answers

Briefly describe the purpose of communication trenches.

Communication trenches enabled men to pass food and equipment between the lines without being exposed to enemy fire. Signup and view all the answers

What was the support line, and what purpose did it serve?

This was the second line of trenches used as a retreat for front line soldiers during a bombardment. Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of having 'Duckboards' in the trenches?

The purpose of Duckboards was to give strong and dry footing for the trenches and to prevent the men from getting trench foot. Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of barbed wire?

Barbed wire was used in the trenches to foil any enemy attacks. Signup and view all the answers

What were dugouts used for?

Dugouts were used for rest or for shelter during bombardment. Signup and view all the answers

What was the 'Sandbags' filled with, and where were they situated?

They were filled with earth, and sandbags were placed on the top of the trenches to protect the soldiers against enemy fire. Signup and view all the answers

What was Parapet?

A wall of wood or earth on the outer side of the trench which sheltered the defenders. Signup and view all the answers

Briefly describe 'No Man's Land.'

'No Man's Land' was the area separating the Allied and the German trenches, with distances usually varying between 100-300 meters. Signup and view all the answers

Why were German trenches generally built better than French and British trenches?

Germans saw the trenches as long-term, whereas the French and the British only saw them as short-term. Signup and view all the answers

What was the 'Ammunition Shelf' used for?

This was where the ammunition was kept. Signup and view all the answers

What was a 'Fire Step' and what was it used for?

The 'Fire Step' was a step in the trenches used to slightly elevate soldiers out of the trenches for attack. Signup and view all the answers

What did 'BEF' stand for?

British Expeditionary Force. Signup and view all the answers

When and why did 'BEF' come to France's aid?

'BEF' came to France's aid in 1914 when Germany was attacking Paris. Signup and view all the answers

Outline the main motives of the Schlieffen Plan.

The main motives of the Schlieffen Plan were to keep the 'right wing strong' (keeping out the French reinforcement) and to encircle Paris without any interference. Signup and view all the answers

Who took over the Schlieffen Plan, and how did it differ from the original plan?

General Helmuth Von Moltke. Unlike in the original plan, they did not keep 'the right wing strong', which led to the Germans failing to encircle Paris. Signup and view all the answers

Who created Plan 17 and what were the main aims of it?

The French. The aim of the plan was to quickly capture Alsace and Lorraine and enter into German territory. Signup and view all the answers

What was a main reason for the emergence of the stalemate?

The failure of the Schlieffen Plan was largely to blame for the emergence of the stalemate. Signup and view all the answers

Who were the Allies?

France, Britain, and Russia. Signup and view all the answers

What was significant about the battle at Liege?

It was of significance as it slowed down the German troops and used up resources which could have been used later on. Signup and view all the answers

Where was the Western Front situated?

The Western Front was situated from the English Channel to the Swiss Border. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Trench Warfare Overview

Trench warfare involved armies fighting from opposing trenches, leading to a stalemate and prolonged conflict.
"War of movement" alternated between advances and retreats, contrasting with stagnant trench scenarios.
"War of attrition" focused on lasting endurance, where one side aimed to outlast the other.

Key Terminology

Stalemate: A deadlock preventing progress by either side.
Front line: Where the initial attacks and defenses occurred, marking direct engagement zones.

Trench Construction and Design

Trenches followed a zig-zag pattern to limit damage from artillery explosions, confining blasts to small sections.
Communication trenches facilitated the safe transfer of supplies to soldiers without exposure to enemy fire.
The support line served as a fallback position for troops under bombardment.

Trench Safety Features

Duckboards provided dry footing within trenches, helping to prevent trench foot.
Barbed wire was used extensively as a defensive measure against enemy assaults.
Dugouts offered rest areas and refuge during attacks, built into trench structures.

Protective Structures

Sandbags, filled with earth, were placed atop trenches to shield soldiers from enemy fire.
Parapet: A protective wall made of earth or wood on the trench's outer edge, offering cover for defenders.

Battlefield Geography

No Man's Land: The contested area between opposing trenches, typically ranging from 100 to 300 meters in width.
German trenches were more robustly constructed due to a perspective of long-term warfare, unlike British and French trenches.

Ammunition and Combat Efficiency

Ammunition shelf: Designated storage area for weapons and ammunition within the trench.
Fire Step: Elevated step in trenches allowing soldiers to rise above trench walls for attacking.

Strategic Forces and Plans

British Expeditionary Force (BEF): Launched to support France during Germany's advance on Paris in 1914.
The Schlieffen Plan aimed to swiftly encircle Paris while maintaining a strong right wing but was poorly executed after General Moltke's leadership changes led to weakening strategies.
French Plan 17 sought to quickly reclaim Alsace and Lorraine and penetrate German territory.

Warfare Consequences

The Schlieffen Plan's failure significantly contributed to the stalemate on the Western Front.
The Allies consisted of France, Britain, and Russia collaborating against the Central Powers.
The battle of Liege was crucial for delaying German progression, consuming resources needed for future engagements.

Western Front

The Western Front stretched from the English Channel to Switzerland, becoming a core battleground of World War I.
Shell holes, resulting from artillery attacks, became common landmarks due to the intense fighting and bombardments.

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Description

This quiz covers essential concepts of trench warfare during World War I, including definitions and explanations of key terms. Gain a deeper understanding of military strategies like 'War of Movement' and 'War of Attrition' with these flashcards.