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Major Battles of WW1 Summary NotesBattle of Mons – Aug 1914 - The first major battle of WW1. Germans advancing through Belgium are met by French forces and the troops of the British Expeditionary Force. Slows the German advance as the Germans over-estimate the numbers of British troops and weapons (remember they were a permanent professional force)Battle of the Marne - Sept 1914 – The advancing German army faced off against the French and British forces just outside of Paris. The French put out an all-out offensive to save Paris (including the legend of the taxi cabs bringing soldiers to the front). Germans are stopped and this begins the race to the sea as both groups try to outflank each other all the way up to the English Channel. This begins the stalemate and 4 years of trench warfare. 250,000 French soldiers lost. BEF lost 13,000.Battle of Tannenburg (Eastern Front) – Aug/Sept 1914 – Russia mobilizes much quicker than the Germans anticipated. Russians push into eastern Germany. Poor Russian communications, hatred between the 2 Russian generals, the ability of the Germans to intercept Russian plans and the Germans mobility on the railways lead to a huge Russian defeat. 30,000 die and 95,000 taken prisoner. Russian morale collapses and the army only continues to survive due to its size.1st Battle of Ypres – Oct/Nov 1914 - This battle ends the race to the sea as neither group was able to outflank the other. The hilltop position of Ypres made it extremely valuable. Neither side was able to gain an advantage and both sides suffered major losses. Holding their ground here allowed the British protect their access to the English Channel. During the second battle of Ypres – poison gas warfare is used for the first time. The second battle of Ypres is also where Canadian John McCrae wrote “In Flander’s Fields”Gallipoli – April to November 1915 – Another one of the major disasters for the Allies in the war. The plan was for the British to gain control of the Dardanelles (waterway between the Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea, to open up access for Russia. British Empire forces (which included Canadians and many of the ANZAC forces – Australian and New Zealand) fought against the Turks. The British severely underestimated the resolve of the Turks to hold on to their land and the difficulties of the terrain and will withdraw in Nov. 1915.Battle of Verdun – Feb to Dec 1916 – The Germans intention was to ‘bleed the French White’ by launching this attack against Verdun, which included some of France’s strongest fortresses. There were an estimated 700,000 causalities (dead, wounded and missing). It would be a huge blow to the prestige of France if it lost Verdun, so most of its resources went into holding it. Verdun is still considered by many military historians as the 'greatest' and most demanding battle in history.Battle of Jutland – May 31 and June 1 1916 – With all the military tension that built up before World War 1 due to the naval race, this battle turned out to be the only major naval battle of the war. The Germans hoped that a victory would end the British naval blockade. Fourteen British and eleven German ships were sunk, with great loss of life. Both sides claimed victory. Germany was unable to end the blockage though and now turned its focus to unrestricted submarine warfare.The Bursilov Offensive – June – Aug 1916 – The Russians only large successful attack in the war. The Russians push significantly into Austria, even threatening the capital Vienna. The Germans are forced to divert troops from Verdun and Somme to assist. The Russian advance will grind to a halt.Battle of the Somme – July to Nov – 1916. This was the Allies big push to break the deadlock of trench warfare. It also was meant to draw German troops away from the Battle of Verdun It showed the senselessness of loss of life as wave upon wave of soldiers were sent “over the top” to break through the German lines, only to be mowed down by enemy gunfire. The British army lost over 60,000 on the first day. The British used heavy artillery bombardment for a week, firing over 1.7 million shells. It was one of the biggest slaughters in military history. This battle also produced the legend of Newfoundland’s Blue Puttees.The Battle of Cambrai - Nov/Dec 1917 – This battle is remembered because it was the first to use large numbers of tanks with some success. Earlier tanks had limited success due to breaking down or being unable to handle the terrain. Tanks would become more successful in breaking through the barbed-wire mess of no man’s land. The British initially gained some ground and had broken through the Hindenburg line, however a German counter-offensive will reclaim much of that land.Battle of Vimy Ridge – part of the larger Battle of Arras in April of 1917. Canadian troops will successful take the ridge due to the meticulous planning and innovative thinking. It was the first time all 4 divisions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force fought together. It became a symbol of Canadian nationalism. The British commander was Sir Julian Byng ( who became Canadian Governor General in 1921) Also of interest historically – (The King-Byng Affair and the Lady Byng Trophy)Battle of Vimy Ridge – Beginning on Easter 1917, 35,000 Canadian troops worked on attacking the ridge. The British attack south of the ridge was defeated. The Canadian troops were the only successful attack. This battle is recognized in Canada as a defining moment for our nation as the 4 divisions of Canadian troops were able to surprise the Germans and succeed where others could not. The 3rd Battle of Ypres – (Passchendaele) – July – Nov 1917. The third in a series of battles for control of this region in Belgium. This battle is a vivid symbol of the mud, madness and slaughter of WW1. Canadian Forces capture the ridge but at a cost of 15,600 casualties. The Allies would lose that ground in early 1918.Battle of Amiens – August 8, 1918 – This was the beginning of the Allies push back after the Germans had launched their all-out offensive in the spring of 1918. It was the opening phase of what became known as the Hundred Days Offensive, which would lead to the end of World War One. German General Ludendorff referred to this day as “The black day of the German Army”. The German offensive ground to a halt and their morale became defeatist in nature. The Allies would continue to advance and push the Germans back. ................
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