Why was the war on the Western Front so dreadful for British Soldiers?

Question

WW1. Be specific. Under the titles
How had science and technology changed the nature of Warfare?
How awful was daily life for soldiers in the trenches?
Why was defending the Ypres Sailent so difficult?
Why was the Battle of the Somme such a disaster?

Answer 1

1. Science & technology.
The Western Front during WW1 essentially depended upon trench warfare, which was defensive in nature. Neither side could advance, so the battles bogged down for long periods of time. The machine gun in particular made it nearly impossible for soldiers to leave the trenches; when they did, a high percentage were shot. Land mines also played an important role, as did mustard gas later in the war.

2. Daily life in the trenches.
Soldiers in the trenches were explosed to the elements--the wind, the sun, rain, snow. Drainage was poor, so there was often standing water or mud. Rats, mosquitos, and other vermin proliferated. Maintaining basic sanitary conditions (bathrooms) was nearly impossible, so disease (dysentery in particular) was widespread. Meals were irregular, often from cans. Accumulated garbage attracted flies. In addition to urine and feces, there was likely to be blood and vomit in the trenches after time, not to mention the bodies of dead comrades who could not be pulled to safety. Often one could hear the agonizing of soldiers from both sides who had been caught and wounded in no-man's land. Even while not fighting, one could hear the sound of battles in other areas, and there was constant fear. The men were far from their loved ones, and there was no outlet for sexual desire. Regular exercise was nearly impossible, sleep was uncomfortable, and there was little to do for entertainment. There was also the uncertainty about how long this would last.

3. Ypres Salient. Sorry, can't help.

4. Battle of Somme. Something like 200,000 German and 180,000 Allied soldiers died in this battle over a period of more than a year. Neither side could advance, and neither wanted to withdraw. They just sat there and killed each other off in what became a battle of attrition.

Answer 2

The soldiers of the first world war went to the front shouldering rifle and pack, just as their Grandfathers had done during the Napoleonic wars. Very little had changed. The french still wore red trousers which made them stand out like a sore thumb and were easy targets for german snipers.
There was a fairground ride designer in america who wanted to make a very quick fortune. He was told of the war in europe and if he wanted to make a fast fortune all he had to do was invent something the europeans could slaughter one another with and so he invented the machine gun.
100 people could now be killed in a single minute.
German scientists invented poison gas and killed whole regiments in an afternoon.
Daily life for the soldiers in the trenches was miserable. Most of the fighting was done at night, under the cover of darkness and what little sleep was afforded them they got during the day. They suffered terribly at the hands of the weather and disease. Food was always available and most soldiers put on a stone and a half in weight at the front.
When not fighting the men were put to entrenching duties endless hours of shovelling water and mud, securing the battlements against attack.
The battle of the Somme began with a huge barrage of shells and mortars. This was designed to break apart the German barbed wire, so that the attacking British soldiers could advance easily and quickly. The barrage however, failed miserably and through failed communication, the word got back to HQ that the wire was cleared.
20,000 men climed out of their trenches and walked to wards the enemy. They were subjected to massive machine gun fire and were mown down only feet away from their own trenches.
Those that did make it to the wire were soon caught up in it and were slain by the German machine guns.

Answer 3

Write about the Field of Flanders, 1916. Pack up your troubles in yer old kit bag and smile, smile, smile. How to research a soldier of the British Army in WW1 .... Medical Diaries and Biographies includes accounts of Flanders. Heres the weblink to help: And Good Luck.

Answer 4

The questions asked have all been answered in great depth by historians. military analysts, film, TV documentaries and by those who actually fought in WW1.

It will be more beneficial for your education to research these sources personally. Apart from a local library where you will find specific books appertaining to the Battles of the Somme and Ypres there is a wealth of information on the Internet.

Those who fought and died there did so for your freedom.

Honour them by being more personally involved and dynamic in your approach to the questions you pose.

Check the works of some of the War Poets.

"They shall grow not old,
As we that are left grow old,
Age shall not weary them,
Nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun,
And in the morning
We will remember them." (Lawrence Binyon)

Some of the 'facts' given in previous answers are incorrect. Some are based on an infantile ignorance.

Answer 5

There were so many woodworking plans with this collection and you will not believe this but there are over thousands plans in the one package deal. Go here https://tr.im/dkCUn
This is really something to find that many all together. For someone like me who is just really starting to get involved with woodworking this was like letting me loose in a candy store and telling me I could have anything I wanted. That was my dream when I was a kid.

Answer 6

Snack attack! Puree peaches, berries or pears for a sweet spread to take a pita chips.

Answer 7

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Answer 8

Distracted dining is certain to get you in trouble. Avoid eating when in front of a television or in a cinema, as you're bound to use up more calories.

Answer 9

Edamame (soy beans) certainly are a great low-cost snack. Look for the kids in the frozen foods section.

Answer 10

They lived (but lots didn't) in Trenches deep in Mud.
They were Gassed and Shelled all the time.
The Food was absolutely awful.
Thay were made to charge into barbed wire and heavy Machine gun fire.......and for WHAT?
Todays soldiers don't know how lucky they are.........