‘Over the Top’ Lesson starter 1.Write a short description of what a soldier would see standing inside a WWI trench. Today we will learn about going ‘over the top’

Today we will… Understand what was meant by going ‘over the top’ Understand the meaning of a ‘breakthrough’

After days or weeks of little activity, Generals would order soldiers to go ‘over the top’ Soldiers were literally sent out of the trench to charge at the enemy trench Hours of bombardment by artillery would come before going ‘over the top’ Generals hoped a breakthrough would finally come

Going ‘over the top’ was rarely successful as soldiers were mowed down by machine gun fire The order would come to retreat and soldiers would try to get back to their own trench alive Did a breakthrough come?

Task 1 Generals hoped to achieve a ______ through sending soldiers ________. For hours before they would ______ the enemy trench Many were killed by machine gun fire and waited for the order to ________. The tactic was unsuccessful and _________ continued on The Western Front. STALEMATE BREAKTHROUGH BOMBARDRETREAT OVER THE TOP

Task Two You will watch All Quiet on The Western Front, a film about life in the trenches The opening scenes show one of the best depictions of trench life and going ‘over the top’ You will have a question sheet to fill in as you watch.

Attitude Question Source A was written by John Clark, a British citizen at the outbreak of WW1. Everyone in Britain was excited at the outbreak of war. I was one of the first to join up and did so with my old school mates. I was optimistic about the war and couldn’t wait to fight the Germans. I thought the war would be over quickly. What was the attitude of John Clark to the outbreak of WW1? 3

How Fully Question Source A was written by John Clark, a British citizen at the outbreak of WW1. Everyone in Britain was excited at the outbreak of war. I was one of the first to join up and did so with my old school mates. I was optimistic about the war and couldn’t wait to fight the Germans. I thought the war would be over quickly. How fully does Source A describe the British public’s reaction to the outbreak of war in 1914? 4

How Useful Question Source A was written by John Clark, a British citizen at the outbreak of WW1. Everyone in Britain was excited at the outbreak of war. I was one of the first to join up and did so with my old school mates. I was optimistic about the war and couldn’t wait to fight the Germans. I thought the war would be over quickly. How useful is Source A as evidence of the British public’s reaction to the outbreak of war in 1914? 4

How useful questions – THE HAND WHO? WHAT? WHEN? WHY? HOWEVER?

WHO? Is the person writing the source well informed/ an expert? Is he/she an eyewitness?

WHAT? What information is in the source? What does the source tell us that helps answer the question?

WHEN? Look at the date above the source. When was the source written – at the time of the event?

WHY? Why is this person writing this source? What does he/she want us to know about?

HOWEVER… What is missing from the source? Is it biased? You must use your own recall here