1. The Course of the War

2. The Schlieffen Plan The Original Schlieffen Plan was to encircle Paris. Didn’t happen since the Belgians put up a good fight British Expeditionary Force (BEF) met the Germans at the Mons on the 23 rd of August Retreated to the River Marne

3. German Retreat to Aisne Germans were overstretched and tired French and British drive them back to the Aisne River. Both sides dig in and trench warfare begins.

4. Race to the Sea Both sides tried to outflank each other. Which is termed a race to the sea. Luckily the Allies had control of the sea lanes.

5. 1 st Battle of Ypres Germans attack at Ypres but were held off by the British. The British had to rely on the last reserves and help from the Indian army. German attack died and both sides settled in for winter Casualties Brit 58000 Fra 50000, Ger 130000

6. Neuve Chapelle Allies actually took this position but lost it while waiting for orders from the officers Germany took it back

7. 2 nd Battle of Ypres Germany on the offensive Used Chlorine gas for the first time Lasted a month 95000 casualties

8. Battle of Verdun New strategy from Germany Through all troops at Verdun to take French troops from other parts. Artillery destroyed the French defenses Germany was about to break through but the allies launched the offensive at the Somme.

9. Verdun French push back to the original boundary. The battle lasted almost a year. The French lost nearly 400000 and the Germans 350000. All for about 4 miles of land.

10. The Somme To relieve the Verdun Battle the Somme was launched Was meant to end the war. 7 days of Bombardment Unsuccessful 20000 British died in the first day. In 4 months the allies captured ground at the cost of 420000 brit troops, 195000 French, 600000 Germans

11. Hindenberg Line Germany wanted to hold on to gains so they build a defensive position that was superior to anything. 100 yards deep of barbed wire