During the operation of the schlieffen plan Germany would use the railways to transport, troops, artillery, weapons and food and drink. Germany had planned out every bit of the plan including railway time tables. But not failure!
Why did a stalemate develop on the western front?
A stalemate devolved on the western front for several reasons. One of the main reasons is because the schlieffen plan failed so that triggered trench warfare both countries started digging towards the sea, “the race to the sea”. Basically both countries started digging towards the sea to cut off the other. England and France needed to keep the channel ports for supplies eg. Food weapons and artilleries. In the battle of Ypres England managed to keep the ports so they could receive supplies. At the beginning of the war everyone expected to be using horses but they were out powered and too much of a target for new weapons like tanks and machine guns.
The English soldiers slowed down the German army by organizing
An orderly retreat helping French uses their forces to stop the
German advance. By doing this no country was getting anywhere!
Another reason for the stalemate devolving was because of new
weapons for example the tank and the machine gun. The Calvary
was expected to play a main part in the war but was then
discovered they would be no use. Horses became too much of an
easy target for enemy machine guns. They also couldn’t charge
Across no-mans land as it was filled with creators and bomb shells.
As horses could not do this tanks were invented to escort soldiers across no-mans land.
The following were equally important reasons why the stalemate on the western front was finally broken:-
- New Technology like the tank
- American entry into the war
- Blockading of German ports
- The German Offensive in 1918
Explain how far you agree with this statement
One of the reasons the stalemate on the western front was broken is because of new technology like the tank and the machine gun and poison gas.
Poison gas was first used in an attack in April 1915. the German forces released chlorine which the wind carried across no-mans land and in to the British trenches panic went out all over the trenches soldiers begun to cough, retched and they struggled to breathe. The aim of gas attacks was to wipe out your enemies troops so your own infantry could invade.
The tanks were a British invention, at first the idea was rejected by the army leaders. Winston Churchill however, thought that the idea had potential. His department funded the development. The tanks were first use in the battle of the Somme. They crushed through trenches, barbed wire and at the same time sending off a rapid machine gun fire!
The invention of new technology I think wasn’t a major reason the stalemate broke. On the other hand it did play a tiny part in invading trenches and gaining land. So to summerise I disagree, the new technology’s are not that important to breaking the stalemate.
America entering the war was a great advantage for Britain. America were fresh and had money to afford weapons and supplies for its army. Their army consisted of brand new fresh soldiers prepared and not tired like the other countries. America could also make ships and other war vehicles to help out.
America entering the war I think was a major part for the war ending as they entered so late in. so on this one I do agree American entry to war was part of the reason the stalemate was broken.
The blockading of German ships starved Germany of food water and war supplies. Germany had to practically surrender. Their soldiers were starving and out of energy making it harder for them to fight. To take out the German forces all they needed now was force.
I agree the blockading of German ships was a great help for Britain to win the war, it starved them dry of food and drink.
The Russians surrender and it is the final attack for Germany to win the war, the Ludendorff offensive, it took place in March 1918. Germany would pile the British with bombs and artillery basically they would give it everything they have got to win the war. If took Britain out before America arrived they would have won. But Britain put up a fight and was holding on by a thread. Then in came the savers America charged in fierce and forced the Germans back. But doing this, lots of men for both sides were taken out. But America just kept on bringing in the men and eventually Germany surrendered. If America hadn’t joined the war as soon as they did germane would have won the Ludendorff almost worked to win the war.
I think that the German offensive is an important part to the breaking of the stalemate eon the western front. If they hadn’t have brought out their men it would have taken much longer for the war to end. I agree that the German offensive played an important role in the breaking of the stalemate.
