Massive warfare and

the impact of
technology

Contents
Introduction
Trenches
Tanks
Aviation
Telecommunication
Transportation
Conclusion

INTRODUCTION
In 1914, the perception of war was romanticized
by many people, and its declaration was met with
great enthusiasm.
The common view on both sides was that it would
be a short war of maneuver, with a few sharp
actions (to "teach the enemy a lesson") and would
end with a victorious entry into the enemy capital,
then home for a victory parade or two and back to
"normal" life.

However , against all expectations it lasted

far beyond ,years after years . Millions were
mobilized from both two sides more than
any other war ever . This time it was not as
it was thought to be where Europe has
turned into living hell . Many historians and
anlysts claim that was due to the use of
some tactics and technology that the war
was prolonged for such along time

Trenches

War of Movement
In the early phases of the
war, all combatants
launched offensives
designed to win the war
before Christmas.
In the West, German
troops crossed the Belgian
border in the narrow gap
between Holland and
France.

A Continuous Front
For a couple of months,
both sides attempted to
outflank the other but
were unable to achieve
any lasting victory.
After a few months these
trenches had spread from
the North Sea to the Swiss
Frontier.
The Allies soon realized
that they could not break
through this line and both
sides began to dig in.

Stalemate
In the West, the Germans
decided that they must hold onto
those parts of France and
Belgium that they still occupied.
They were ordered to dig
trenches that would provide
them with protection from the
advancing French and British
troops.
Trenches were usually about
seven feet deep and six feet
wide and often possessed deep
underground dugouts that
housed large bodies of soldiers.
A typical trench system.

German Trenches
As the Germans were
the first to decide where
to stand fast and dig,
they had been able to
choose the best places
to build their trenches.
The possession of the
higher ground not only
gave the Germans a
tactical advantage, but
it forced the British and
French to live in the
worst conditions.

This captured German trench was typical

of those found on the Western Front.
Generally better prepared than Allied
trenches, the resilience of German
trenches would frustrate Allied attacks
throughout the war.

Allied Trenches
Most of the area that the
Allies were forced to
build their trenches was
rarely a few feet above
sea level.
As soon as soldiers
began to dig down they
would invariably find
water two or three feet
below the surface.
Water-logged trenches
were a constant problem
for soldiers on the
Western Front.

tanks

Early Use of the Tank

The first British tanks were used in the battle of
the Somme on September 15, 1916.
Lots of testing to make sure it would work.
Engineers had no choice but to test them on real
battle which was an enormous risk made by the
british

A rocky start
three out of six tanks got bogged, one broke
down, and the other two continued towards
the enemy line slowly, supporting the
infantry, although the infantry did move
ahead, away from the protection of the
tanks.

weak performance and

psychological victory
The use of tanks really payed off from the
very first battle at the Somme as has
succeeded in lowering the moral of the
Germans
" THE DEVIL IS COMING"

Tanks Success
The biggest use of
tanks within the war
was the battle of
Cambrai, in
November 1917.
British infantry and
400 tanks crashed
through the
Hindenburg line
with great success.

Tank Production 1916-18

UK

France

Ger.

1916

150

1917

1,277

800

1918

1,391

4,000

20

84

Year

Italy USA