Digging Up The Trenches

[javaguru]

Germans in their well protected trenches on the Belgian frontier showing the men in the act of aiming at their enemy. Underwood and Underwood. (1917 - 1919)

 

[javaguru]

The cry goes out signaling the attack. Here Canadian soldiers attack at Vimy Ridge - the battle that truly made Canada a nation. Allied losses at Vimy prior to Canada's victory were estimated to be over 150,000.

 

[javaguru]

French fort at Verdun before the battle...

After German bombardment...The battle for Verdun resulted in over a million casualties, including some estimates of 50,000 the first day.

 

[javaguru]

The effect of long term bombardment..."Shell Shock."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRv56gsqkzs

Shell Shock and the case of Harry Farr...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCk1bG5PBhw

 

[Gambino]

bro nothing tickles my history bone like ww1
i would rather have fought in any major conflict in the last 200 yrs
their was no 1 yr tour, you fought untill death or invalidation
5 yr war odds wern't good on your survival.
i got lotsa book suggestions if you are interested

 

[javaguru]

bro nothing tickles my history bone like ww1
i would rather have fought in any major conflict in the last 200 yrs
their was no 1 yr tour, you fought untill death or invalidation
5 yr war odds wern't good on your survival.
i got lotsa book suggestions if you are interested

I had taken at least three classes that covered WWI but they didn't cover it to a great extent when compared to WWII. What I found fascinating is how quickly tactics evolved. In 1914 the armies went to war much like a Napoleonic army and by 1917 the foundations of maneuver warfare had been developed.

Even the uniforms resembled Napoleonic era uniforms.
French Infantryman 1914..not even a helmet.

 

[Gambino]

I had taken at least three classes that covered WWI but they didn't cover it to a great extent when compared to WWII. What I found fascinating is how quickly tactics evolved. In 1914 the armies went to war much like a Napoleonic army and by 1917 the foundations of maneuver warfare had been developed.

Even the uniforms resembled Napoleonic era uniforms.
French Infantryman 1914..not even a helmet.
]

yeah and those poor armies that marched column style w/horses got mowed down by machine guns and heavy artillery time and time again.
it took the generals a while to figure that one out
even at the somme column style tactics were tried by the brits...only to have their armies oblieterated by german maxim guns
the french/brit generals were deathly inept

 

[javaguru]

When the Man Comes Around
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEl2mC6DcOU

 

[javaguru]

yeah and those poor armies that marched column style w/horses got mowed down by machine guns and heavy artillery time and time again.
it took the generals a while to figure that one out
even at the somme column style tactics were tried by the brits...only to have their armies oblieterated by german maxim guns
the french/brit generals were deathly inept

I saw a re-enactment using British military cadets using MILES gear using line abreast tactics against a maxim machine gun, they suffered about 80% casualties by the time they neared the enemy trench line. Using the more evolved bounding advance they suffered 1/3 casualties by the time they reached the other side.

By 1917 the Germans had developed the basics of blitzkrieg by utilizing stormtroopers that would bypass strong points and penetrate as deeply as possible targeting command and control while the "regular infantry" mopped up the strong points.

 

[javaguru]

The Somme: From Defeat to Victory
Part1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1q-Qp2Klws
Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjM_yY96t3I