What was the Contribution of Britain to the Defeat of Germany in the First World War?

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What was the Contribution of Britain to the Defeat of Germany in the First World War?

There were three main ways in which Britain contributed to Germany's defeat in the First World War. Firstly the British army in both France and Belgium, secondly the British Royal Navy at sea and thirdly the Britains of the Home Front's contribution.

The British Expeditionary Force was the first of the British forces to go in to action. The arrived in France the 21 August, and were there to defend Belgium and to stop Germany's Schliefen Plan. Even though the "BEF" only consisted of 100,000 men it had the experiance of the Boer War, and it was well equipped. The German Schliefen Plan was bassed on speed (much like Hitlers Blitzkrieg attacks in the Second World War), the BEF delayed the Schliefen Plan in Mons and Le Cateau in late August 1914. This then gave France enough time to build up her forces and change thier currant plan in order to counter attack in the battle of the Marne. The battle of the Marne forced the Kaisers army to retreat to the river Aisne were they dug trenches and tried to defend themselves. This was the start of trench warfare but there was one more battle for land in Ypres which was the "first battle of Ypres", the BEF managed t ohold off the German attack but at a cost of half of the BEF's forces (50,000 men). The BEF managed to keep the Channel Ports which meant Britain could send troops and supplies to France easily.  

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Now the war of Attrition began in the battle of the Somme 1916. After Verdun the French had very heavy losses especcially since the French commander General Pétain announced that "They shall not pass", obviouslly refering to the Germans. So because of Verduns effect on the French army the BEF had to pretty much fight the battle of the Somme alone with half of the anticipated amount of French troops. This battle saw the use of the first tank, which shocked the Germans so, that they retreated. But the BEF didnt capitalise and the Germans built up thier defences ...

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