British Sector of the Western Front: Context (Edexcel GCSE History)

Key Developments in WWI - summary

In August 1914, Britain went to war with Germany with the aim of protecting Belgium from invasion. It was also an opportunity for Britain to reinforce their ally - France - who were already under serious threat of invasion. What followed was World War One, which resulted in over 37 million deaths.

The conflict involved fighting across many parts of the world such as in Turkey, Italy, and in the East. However, most of the British soldiers were fighting in an area recognised as the Western Front, mainly parts of Belgium and France. Here, ferocious trench warfare took place. Although Europe had seen conflict before, the First World War
became infamous for the sheer volume of casualties. There were also changes in the types of injuries due to new types of weapons.

Study of the Western Front is crucial for an understanding of the medical developments within the 20th-century. Knowledge and understanding of X-rays, blood transfusions, plastic surgery, ambulances, and surgery techniques all developed rapidly.

To fully understand the medical developments which took place, it is essential to have knowledge of the key battles as well as their significance.

The Theatre of War

• Britain went to war with Germany on August 4th 1914

• The British Expeditionary Force (BEF) were sent to Northern France to stop the German advance through Belgium

• The BEF faced a German army of 160,000 soldiers and this led to a retreat to protect Paris

• By the end of 1914, Germany occupied much of Belgium and Northern France 

• Both sides built a series of trenches to protect their territory

• Throughout the duration of the War, a number of key battles occurred, for example at Ypres and Arras

• The line of trenches was not static, it moved when different battles led to advance or retreat for the two opposing armies

The Western Front

The Ypres Salient

1914: The First Battle of Ypres

• The BEF moved to the town of Ypres to prevent the German advance along the coast

• German forces launched an attack in October of 1914

• The British defended Ypres but lost 50,000 soldiers

• British victory meant reinforcements and supplies could be delivered on the coast

• However, German forces still surrounded Ypres

1915: The Second Battle of Ypres

• After the battle for Hill 60 where British soldiers successfully used offensive mining, German forces attacked Ypres again.

• A series of smaller battles took place between April and May 1915

• Germany used chlorine gas for the first time in the First World War

• British forces lost around 59,000 soldiers

• Germany moved two miles closer to the town of Ypres

1917: The Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele)

• British forces wanted to launch an offensive German troops who surrounded Ypres

• The British launched their main attack in July 1917 near the town of Passchendaele

• Constant rainfall caused the ground to become waterlogged and many soldiers drowned

• British forces lost around 245,000 soldiers

• Despite gaining only seven miles of territory, General Haig considered it a success

The Battle of the Somme

• Britain attacked near the River Somme to take vital ground after the attack on the French city of Verdun by German forces

• The first day of fighting on the 1st July 1916 led to the deaths of 20,000 British troops 

• The British tried two new strategies:

  • Using a creeping barrage too late would leave British soldiers vulnerable to German gunfire. Too early and their own artillery would hit them

  • The tanks were new and untested. They suffered many technical problems

• By November 1916, Britain had suffered 400,000 casualties

• The Battle was regarded as a failure even though the British gained six miles of territory

The Battles of Arras and Cambrai

1917: The Battle of Arras

• The chalky landscape of Arras allowed the British troops to build a network of tunnels. This included a hospital with 700 stretcher beds, running water and electricity.

• The 2.5 miles of tunnel could shelter up to 25,000 soldiers 

• Sheltered British troops attacked nearby German trenches in April 1917

• The British gained eight miles of territory

• There were around 160,000 British and Canadian casualties

1917: The Battle of Cambrai

• British forces attacked German trenches in October 1917

• Reduced artillery fire confused the German forces

• The Battle featured the first large-scale use of tanks:

  • There were around 450 British tanks used in the battle

  • Tanks moved across barbed wire and had machine guns

• Land taken by British forces was quickly reclaimed by Germany