The Conduct of British Generals in World War One Essay

The Conduct of British Generals in World War One In 1914 the First World War, or the Great War, broke out in Europe. It involved the two main alliances of Europe at the time; one alliance was the triple entente with Germany, Austro-Hungary and Serbia, the other alliance, the triple alliances, had Britain, France and Russia creating a ring of steel around Germany. This war of attrition was to take the lives of 8.5 million combatants and would change the way warfare was conducted and portrayed forever, it would involve 65 million men from 30 countries around the globe and Russia and America would emerge as the two great superpowers of the 20th century. After the war there would be great criticism of†¦show more content†¦During the battle of Verdun British artillery started to fire upon British infantry during an attack causing heavy casualties. These were all seen as foolish acts and it was shown, and still is shown, in various pieces of literature. In source C it shows the enormity of the killing at the Somme and the dif ferences in losses between the two sides. It was written by John keegan, who is a qualified historian and there shouldnt be any reason for bias on his part and in this source he does contain many facts to support his views so it is quite a reliable source. On the other hand the generals could not have been tactically inept and blind to the minimal gains that some attacks were having because as the war progressed new tactics and innovative ways of attacking were brought to the front line and used with great effect. Ideas like the rolling barrage where men would creep behind shells that were continually firing while inching forward, another idea was night attacks where men would attack enemy positionsShow MoreRelatedEssay about American Success in Achieving Independence1517 Words   |  7 Pagesindependence due more to General Washington’s strategic skill or to British blunders? 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