(From Part Four)
What sort of problems did the Germans encounter on the western front in 1918?
Germany had a lot of internal struggles which established the foundation for the issues in the final year of the First World War. In 1917, strikes and inflation began to seriously hinder German industry and other war efforts,[1] and the addition of political agitators from Berlin who were conscripted and sent westward not only damaged morale of the troops holding the line against the Entente forces, but created the possibility for proper military order to become increasingly difficult for German officers.[2] Despite the addition of forty-four divisions from the Eastern front fall of Russia,[3] the lack of a unified strategy between the military and political leaders, along with the latter’s poor understanding of the environmental limitations of movement[4] proved to be a fatal flaw in Germany’s last desperate attempt to maintain control over the territory gained in the preceding years.
Were the Germans primary problems internal or were they mainly foiled by the arrival of the AEF?
The problems experienced by Germany in 1918 were due to a multitude of forces, internal and external, however the conduct of their weary forces by indecisive and impetuous leadership. Buoyed by the overconfidence in the idea that the tactics and strategy which appeared to work against the Russians, the German leadership devoted much of their efforts in seeking to replicate similar successes by using the same tactics against the British and French.[5] Most importantly, however, was the thought process of German tactical leaders which was best summarized by Strachan as: “…if a breakthrough could be effected, then strategy could follow.”[6] Finally, German forces were simply unable to maintain momentum of their attacks in March and were overextended in logistics and the troops capability to endure continuous attacks.[7]
How had the role of planes changed by the end of the war?
With the First World War being the debut of aircraft in combat, the role of aircraft rapidly evolved with the imagination of the pilots and the necessities dictated by combat. Initially used for scouting, both sides quickly realized the potential propaganda value of aircraft on the battlefield and at home. With the Entente abilities for production and training surpassing the those of the Central Powers,[8] the idea and employment of strategic bombing resulted in devastating economic and psychological effects on the soldiers and citizens of Germany.[9]
How about artillery?
Much like aircraft, the improvements in the application and employment of artillery made during the First World War were significant. Using effective bombardment techniques such as predicted fire and creeping barrages complimented the development of coordinated infantry assaults, becoming what we know as “combined arms warfare.” Truly a potent factor on the battlefields of the war, it is estimated that 70% of all casualties were from artillery.[10]
Conclusion: How could the Versailles Peace Treaty have been improved on?
The Versailles Peace Treaty had many flaws of varying degree, but the emotional factors which influenced and shaped post-war Europe played a major role. French insistence and reluctance to compromise led to the German loss of territory and the immediate occupational forces were allowed to demand anything needed from the German government.[11] If the Belgian and French desire for revenge had been tempered by effective Entente diplomacy and responsibility for the cause of the war been evenly levied upon the Central Powers,[12] the outcome could have been significantly different. Likewise, economists like John Maynard Keynes might have been more effective if placed in charge of financial and economic plans to restore Germany while providing for repatriation.[13]
“Could you describe and explain German Chief of Staff, Erich Ludendorff’s operation known as the Blucher-Yorck Offensive and how it was implemented against the French and American forces?”
As part of the Third Battle of the Aisne (May 27 – June 6, 1918), the Blücher-Yorck Offensive of 1918 was intended attach territory lost to the French during their Nivelle Offensive in the Second Battle of the Aisne the year prior. Ludendorff hoped to draw French and British forces from the area around Flanders before substantial American Expeditionary Forces could arrive in Europe, opening up a direct path for German forces to move on Paris. With artillery coverage of 10 guns for every kilometer of the front stretching 40 kilometers, 17 divisions of German infantry, supported by gas attacks, broke through the 8 Allied divisions and moved 90 kilometers by the 3rd of June, 1918. However, as with many battles in history, the German forces became logistically over-extended and worn out from the fierce advance.[14]
American participation in the overall conflict was limited to the Battle of Cantigny on the 28th of May, 1918, initially, but the chaotic association of battles during the First World War brought the subsequent battles of Chateau-Thierry (June 3-4) and Belleau Wood (June 6-26). At Cantigny, 4,000 American troops captured and held the village with French aerial and artillery support,[15] while the protracted fighting at Belleau Wood followed up the Allied initiative and saw the final German offensives defeated by fresh U.S. Marines.[16]
Bibliography
Baker, Horace L. Argonne Days in World War I. Columbia, US: University of Missouri Press, 2007. Accessed January 11, 2017. ProQuest ebrary.
Duffy, Michael. “Battles – The Third Battle of the Aisne, 1918.” firstworldwar.com. 2009. Accessed January 20, 2017. http://www.firstworldwar.com/battles/aisne3.htm.
Duffy, Michael. “Battles – The Battle of Belleau Wood, 1918.” firstworldwar.com. 2009. http://www.firstworldwar.com/battles/belleau.htm.
Duffy, Michael.
“Battles – The Battle of Cantigny, 1918.” firstworldwar.com.
2009. http://www.firstworldwar.com/battles/cantigny.htm.
[1] Hew Strachan, The First World War, (New York: Penguin Books, 2005), accessed January 11, 2017, eBook Collection (EBSCOhost), EBSCOhost, 235.
[2] Ibid., 254.
[3] Ibid., 255.
[4] Ibid., 257.
[5] Ibid., 257.
[6] Ibid., 258.
[7] Ibid., 261.
[8] Ibid., 274-275.
[9] Ibid., 275.
[10] Ibid., 275.
[11] Ibid., 290.
[12] Ibid., 291.
[13] Ibid., 293.
[14] Michael Duffy, “Battles – The Third Battle of the Aisne, 1918,” firstworldwar.com, 2009, accessed January 20, 2017, http://www.firstworldwar.com/battles/aisne3.htm.
[15] Michael Duffy, “Battles – The Battle of Cantigny, 1918,” firstworldwar.com, 2009, accessed January 20, 2017, http://www.firstworldwar.com/battles/cantigny.htm.
[16] Michael Duffy, “Battles – The Battle of Belleau Wood, 1918,” firstworldwar.com, 2009, accessed January 20, 2017, http://www.firstworldwar.com/battles/belleau.htm.
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