Trench Warefare in Battles The Battle of Verdun The Battle of the Somme

What is a “Battle of Attrition?” “Bleed the Enemy White” Meaning: wear down the enemy with continuous pressure so that they surrender no matter what the cost

The Battle of Verdun February 21st – December 18 th, 1916

Where the Battle Occurred Fort of Verdun –Extreme significance to French –Heavy French fortification In short, it was of greater value symbolically than strategically.

What happened Feb. to Dec. Germany offensive of French lines Germany gained land French fight back to regain land Result: –French casualties - 550,000 –German casualties - 434,000 –½ of total were fatalities. –The only real effect of the battle was the irrevocable wounding of both armies. –No tactical or strategic advantage had been gained by either side.

The Battle of the Somme July 1 st – November 18 th, 1916

Where did it Occur

What happened Britain bombarded Germany for 8 days end - June 28, 1916 Walked across lines to see what little was left of Germany Germany was ready

Result of 1 st Day Loss of 58,000 British troops (one third of them killed) on the first day of the battle Became the Greatest loss in British military history

Battle of Somme (Some) “Big Push” attack across river Somme by British Huge Failure: –Soldiers didn’t follow orders –Artillery didn’t dislodge German wire –Didn’t destroy machine-gun posts Biggest slaughters in military history

Result of Battle Ended mid-Nov. 420,000 British casualties 200,000 French casualties. 500,000 German Casualties All for the British and French gain of 12 kilometres of ground

Battle for Belleau Wood (Below Wood) “Beautiful Water” First US Marines in WWI combat - 4 June June 1918 Marines assist French forces –Retreating Frenchman advise Marines to retreat. Capt Lloyd Williams replies “Retreat, hell. We just got here.” Marines pick off Germans at 800 yards –200 yds considered far to Germans

Dan Daly –“Come on you sons of bitches. Do you want to live forever?” –Double medal of honor winner 26 June US victory Devil Dog –Title given Marines by Germans “Teufel Hunden”

Military Mobilizes 200,000 to 10 mill by June 5, 24 mill by ‘18 Selective Service Act 9 mth training 6 in U.S./ 2 in Europe & 1 mth on the Front 369thBlack Regiments (369th) Harlem Hell Fighters Very Patriotic Attitude by “Everyone Doing There Duty”Very Patriotic Attitude by “Everyone Doing There Duty”

Edward V. Rickenbacker (ace) Sgt. Alvin York (Army) 1918 battles1918 battles 2 nd Battle of Marne2 nd Battle of Marne - STOP Germans Meusse-Argonne BattleMeusse-Argonne Battle – Major Allied Offensive NO More Major German Offensives to win the war Allied Blockade “starves & weakens Germany

2 nd Battle of the Marne German last great offensive –No Russia, all troops to the west –Win the war before America could enter Over 250,000 Americans enter France each week Counter-Attack Germany Germany knows they can’t win, begin peace talks

Nov. 3, 1918 Austria-Hungary Surrenders –German sailors mutinied –Soldiers & Workers form “Revolutionary Councils” – Communist November 11, 1918 ARMISTICENovember 11, 1918 (at 11am) ARMISTICE (Cease Fire) “All Quiet on the Western Front”

World War I Casualties 17,698,00011,552,000 Allies Central Powers Military Dead ……….4,889,000 …….3,132,000 Military Wounded ….12,809,000 …….8,420,000 Total Casualties 17,698,000 11,552,000 29,250,000 -

Peace Revenge What Kind of Peace Treaty? “Do we want Peace or Revenge ” Practical Politics v. Wilson’s “Idealism” The BIG FOUR –(F) Clemenceau “lived through 2 attacks by Germany – Make Sure CAN’T happen again” –(E) Lloyd George “make Germany PAY” –(US) Wilson – create lasting Peace –(I) Orlando Results of the “Treaty of Versailles” France Germany