How could you go "over the trenches" on a bayonet charge ?

Question

At Gallipoli Aussie "Diggers" who were actually lighthorsemen whent over the trenches on suicidal bayonet charges at the well entrenched Turkish defences, being cut down by machine gun fire! Do you think you could bring yourself to go over the trenches or would you shoot the CO instead ? The Bravery is amazing, but the waste in human life is unbelievable, knowing that soldiers were massacred whilst Brittish Officers sipped cups of tea on an unchallenged beach astounds me!

Answer 1

The Australians are STILL pissed off about Gallipoli, so you are not alone on this.

You have to keep in mind that World War I was fought with about the same tactics as the American Civil War. It was not fully understood that full frontal attacks on entrenched positions using modern bullet technology was suicide.

They did not yet adapt the tactics needed to confront new and deadlier weapons.

We take all this for granted but it took time for people to learn these obvious points.

Answer 2

You follow orders and that was the way things were done in WW1; got smarter later on and started used mobility and tactics but at the time was the way wars were fought. Any more questionable then lining up 100 yards or less apart and standing up and shooting volleys at each other or the charges by Union troops at Fredricksburg? Times change and tactics change but the infantryman is always the one following orders and doing the work.

Answer 3

A mutiny in the middle of combat is juist as likely to get you killed by the enemy. I have never been ordered to my death, so my meddle has never been tested...but I believe if discipline breaks down, so does the rest of the machine. If people start deciding they don't want to follow orders because of extreme danger, the whole thing is done. You join the military with the understanding that you are prepared to give your life in your contry's defense.

That being said, it is an important doctrine that officers lead from the front and fight alongside you, as many do nowadays.

Answer 4

If your a soldier you do what you're told. Easier said than done, but yes I would follow orders...it's in the U.S oath of enlistment.......I, (state your name), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice, So help me God." Not sure about the british one though.

Answer 5

French troops did mutiny and refused to attack when ordered by French general Nivelle. Nivelle was sacked and replaced by Henri Petain. Many of the ring leaders of the mutiny were executed, but most of the mutineers were pardoned. Petain refrained from making the suicidal frontal attacks that his predecessor ordered.

BTW. Marshal Petain was the French leader who surrendered France to Germany in 1940 and became the head of the Vichy government. Convicted of treason, post war, Petain was pardoned due to his old age and prior service to the nation.

Answer 6

You never know until you are actually confronted with the decision in real life. Some people may freeze up their first time or they will rely on their training and go into harms way like they are trained.

Answer 7

a good soldier follows orders no matter how crazy they are. back then human life didnt matter as much as it does now.

westpoint came up with a tactic on how to scope out a sniper. you make one person in your group to go ahead and when he is shot you know theres a sniper in that direction. they dont use that tactic anymore but that kinda proves how much they cared for human life back then

Answer 8

you don't do anything you are told just because you are a soldier!!! thats retarted! you do infact follow your orders, unless they are obviously wrong! then you are obligated NOT to follow that order.