World War I: The Great War. Early Enthusiasm You are standing up to your knees in the slime of a waterlogged trench. It is the evening of 24 December.

World War I: The Great World War I: The Great WarWar

Early EnthusiasmEarly Enthusiasm

You are standing up to your knees in the slime You are standing up to your knees in the slime of a waterlogged trench.  It is the evening of 24 of a waterlogged trench.  It is the evening of 24 December 1914 and you are on the dreaded December 1914 and you are on the dreaded Western Front.Western Front.

Stooped over, you wade across to the firing Stooped over, you wade across to the firing step and take over the watch.  Having step and take over the watch.  Having exchanged pleasantries, your bleary-eyed and exchanged pleasantries, your bleary-eyed and mud-spattered colleague shuffles off towards mud-spattered colleague shuffles off towards his dug out.  Despite the horrors and the his dug out.  Despite the horrors and the hardships, your morale is high and you believe hardships, your morale is high and you believe that in the New Year the nation's army march that in the New Year the nation's army march towards a glorious victory. ~ Unknowntowards a glorious victory. ~ Unknown

The Western FrontThe Western Front

All is Quiet on the Western All is Quiet on the Western FrontFront

Film Released 1930Film Released 1930 All Quiet on the All Quiet on the

Western FrontWestern Front is a is a novel by Erich Maria novel by Erich Maria Remarque, a German Remarque, a German veteran of World War I, veteran of World War I, about the horrors of that about the horrors of that war and also the deep war and also the deep detachment from German detachment from German civilian life felt by many civilian life felt by many men returning from the men returning from the front. The book was first front. The book was first published in German as published in German as Im Westen nichts Im Westen nichts NeuesNeues in January 1929. in January 1929.

Life in the TrenchesLife in the Trenches

Henry Plate in WWI Henry Plate in WWI UniformUniform

No Man’s LandNo Man’s Land Two hours' sleep, then Two hours' sleep, then

the thunders of an the thunders of an intensive artillery intensive artillery barrage. barrage.

Pieces of metal that once Pieces of metal that once were cannon; and, if were cannon; and, if good Krupp steel had good Krupp steel had been so shattered, what been so shattered, what of the humans who of the humans who served the steel? Heads, served the steel? Heads, legs, arms, trunks, pieces legs, arms, trunks, pieces of rotting flesh, skulls of rotting flesh, skulls that grinned hideously, that grinned hideously, bones cleaned by bones cleaned by exposure, lay about in exposure, lay about in hopeless riot.  And so to hopeless riot.  And so to No Man's Land. No Man's Land.

H. E. May, Highland H. E. May, Highland RegimentRegiment

New InnovationsNew Innovations

Phosgene, Phosgene, Chlorine and Chlorine and Mustard GasMustard Gas

Flame ThrowerFlame Thrower

Dulce et decorum est pro Dulce et decorum est pro patria moripatria mori

((Sweet and honorable it is, to die for the Sweet and honorable it is, to die for the

fatherlandfatherland) ) OthelloOthello

Bent double, like old beggars under Bent double, like old beggars under sacks,  sacks,  Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge,  cursed through sludge,  Till on the haunting flares we turned Till on the haunting flares we turned our backs  our backs  And towards our distant rest began to And towards our distant rest began to trudge.  trudge.  Men marched asleep. Many had lost Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots  their boots  But limped on, blood-shod. All went But limped on, blood-shod. All went lame; all blind;  lame; all blind;  Drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the Drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hoots  hoots  Of tired, outstripped Five-Nines that Of tired, outstripped Five-Nines that dropped behind. dropped behind.

Gas!Gas! Quick, boys! –  An ecstasy of Gas!Gas! Quick, boys! –  An ecstasy of fumbling,  fumbling,  Fitting the clumsy helmets just in Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time;  time;  But someone still was yelling out and But someone still was yelling out and stumbling,  stumbling,  And flound'ring like a man in fire or And flound'ring like a man in fire or lime . . lime . . Dim, through the misty panes and Dim, through the misty panes and thick green light,  thick green light, 

As under a green sea, I saw him As under a green sea, I saw him drowning.  drowning.  In all my dreams, before my helpless In all my dreams, before my helpless sight,  sight,  He plunges at me, guttering, choking, He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning.  drowning. 

If in some smothering dreams you too If in some smothering dreams you too could pace  could pace  Behind the wagon that we flung him Behind the wagon that we flung him in,  in,  And watch the white eyes writhing in And watch the white eyes writhing in his face,  his face,  His hanging face, like a devil's sick of His hanging face, like a devil's sick of sin;  sin;  If you could hear, at every jolt, the If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood  blood  Come gargling from the froth-Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs,  corrupted lungs,  Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud Of vile, incurable sores on innocent Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues,  tongues,  My friend, you would not tell with My friend, you would not tell with such high zest  such high zest  To children ardent for some desperate To children ardent for some desperate glory,  glory,  The old Lie; Dulce et Decorum est  The old Lie; Dulce et Decorum est  Pro patria mori. ~Wilfred OwenPro patria mori. ~Wilfred Owen

New Innovations New Innovations ContinuedContinued

TankTank Imperial German Tank Imperial German Tank

BadgeBadge   

PlanesPlanes

Made of Canvas and Made of Canvas and WoodWood

Baron Von Baron Von RichthofenRichthofen

The Red Baron (80 The Red Baron (80 Kills)Kills)

Machine GunMachine Gun

Naval AdvancesNaval Advances

U-BoatU-Boat Dreadnought Class Dreadnought Class BattleshipBattleship

The naval strength of the powers in 1914

Country Personnel Large Naval Vessels

Tonnage

Russia 55,000 4 348,000

France 67,000 10 731,000

Britain 209,000 29 2,205,000

TOTAL 331,000 43 3,264,000

Germany 79,000 17 1,019,000

Austria-Hungary 16,000 3 249,000

TOTAL 95,000 20 1,268,000

Source: Ferguson 1999 p 85

ArtilleryArtillery

Home Sweet HomeHome Sweet Home

Passing the TimePassing the Time An individual soldier's time in the An individual soldier's time in the

WWI front line trenchWWI front line trench was usually brief; from as was usually brief; from as little as one day to as much as two weeks at a time little as one day to as much as two weeks at a time before being relieved. The Australian 31st Battalion before being relieved. The Australian 31st Battalion once spent 53 days in the line at Villers Bretonneux once spent 53 days in the line at Villers Bretonneux but such a duration was a rare exception. A typical but such a duration was a rare exception. A typical British soldier's year could be divided as follows: British soldier's year could be divided as follows:

15% front line 15% front line 10% support line 10% support line 30% reserve line 30% reserve line 20% rest 20% rest 25% other (hospital, travelling, leave, training 25% other (hospital, travelling, leave, training

courses, etc.) courses, etc.)

Challenges of Daily Life in Challenges of Daily Life in the Trenchesthe Trenches

WeatherWeather

Diary of Bill SchiraDiary of Bill Schira Rain. We worked like dam fools from 7 a.m. Rain. We worked like dam fools from 7 a.m.

till 1 p.m. and are wet to the skin and haven't till 1 p.m. and are wet to the skin and haven't had any breakfast. The 4 of us that were with had any breakfast. The 4 of us that were with the baggage at Southampton, England haven't the baggage at Southampton, England haven't had a meal since yesterday morning breakfast, had a meal since yesterday morning breakfast, 32 hours. I worked like hell and am ready to 32 hours. I worked like hell and am ready to drop in my tracks. If I don't soon eat I will drop in my tracks. If I don't soon eat I will starve. I haven't had a sleep for 3 nights! 2 starve. I haven't had a sleep for 3 nights! 2 p.m. We had a poor meal of corned beef stew, p.m. We had a poor meal of corned beef stew, rode out to a rest camp on trucks. This is a rode out to a rest camp on trucks. This is a Hell of a rest camp. Old tents and 15 men to a Hell of a rest camp. Old tents and 15 men to a tent and hardly enough room for 5 men. tent and hardly enough room for 5 men.

MudMud

RatsRats

German soldiers lice German soldiers lice hunting in the trenches hunting in the trenches

near Reims (1915)near Reims (1915)

Louse HuntingLouse Hunting Isaac RosenbergIsaac Rosenberg

Nudes - stark and glistening,Nudes - stark and glistening,Yelling in lurid glee. Grinning Yelling in lurid glee. Grinning facesfacesAnd raging limbsAnd raging limbsWhirl over the floor one fire.Whirl over the floor one fire.For a shirt verminously busyFor a shirt verminously busyYon soldier tore from his Yon soldier tore from his throat, with oathsthroat, with oathsGodhead might shrink at, but Godhead might shrink at, but not the lice.not the lice.And soon the shirt was aflareAnd soon the shirt was aflareOver the candle he'd lit while Over the candle he'd lit while we lay. we lay.

Then we all sprang up and Then we all sprang up and striptstriptTo hunt the verminous To hunt the verminous brood.brood.

Soon like a demons' pantomineSoon like a demons' pantomineThe place was raging.The place was raging.See the silhouettes agape,See the silhouettes agape,See the glibbering shadowsSee the glibbering shadowsMixed with the battled arms Mixed with the battled arms on the wall.on the wall.See gargantuan hooked See gargantuan hooked fingersfingersPluck in supreme fleshPluck in supreme fleshTo smutch supreme littleness.To smutch supreme littleness.See the merry limbs in hot See the merry limbs in hot Highland flingHighland flingBecause some wizard verminBecause some wizard verminCharmed from the quiet this Charmed from the quiet this revelrevelWhen our ears were half lulledWhen our ears were half lulledBy the dark musicBy the dark musicBlown from Sleep's trumpet.Blown from Sleep's trumpet.

Disease, Influenza and Disease, Influenza and PneumoniaPneumonia

Trench FootTrench Foot

No Mans LandNo Mans LandDead Man’s Dump ~ Isaac Dead Man’s Dump ~ Isaac

RosenbergRosenberg

IntermissionIntermission

Enjoy and ExploreEnjoy and Explore

Flanders FieldsFlanders Fields

History Speaks: Francis History Speaks: Francis MackMack

Dear Mother & Father, Dear Mother & Father, No doubt you have been surprised to have had no news from me lately but we have No doubt you have been surprised to have had no news from me lately but we have

been having a rough passage- been in front line for over a month now and still no been having a rough passage- been in front line for over a month now and still no relief to hand- can't get anything here, for example look at the paper- it has been relief to hand- can't get anything here, for example look at the paper- it has been 'souvenired' from the little shell riddled village we are holding- tis on the nearest 'souvenired' from the little shell riddled village we are holding- tis on the nearest front to Fritz's first objective A------. We have suffered pretty heavily, over 40 in front to Fritz's first objective A------. We have suffered pretty heavily, over 40 in our company casualties but since taking over we have advanced over 1000 yds and our company casualties but since taking over we have advanced over 1000 yds and are now in a fairly good position... are now in a fairly good position...

We are getting ideal weather- lovely long days, not dark till after 10pm and stand We are getting ideal weather- lovely long days, not dark till after 10pm and stand down at 4am. Naturally there is great aerial activity- have seen dozens of planes down at 4am. Naturally there is great aerial activity- have seen dozens of planes come down this trip in - some from terrible heights-tis great but awful sight to see come down this trip in - some from terrible heights-tis great but awful sight to see the manouverings in an air fight. Artillery also is pretty warm. ------- Am enclosing the manouverings in an air fight. Artillery also is pretty warm. ------- Am enclosing a shoulder strap of the Fritz Battalion we pushed out when we advanced the line. a shoulder strap of the Fritz Battalion we pushed out when we advanced the line. We have plenty of sniping and shooting- good sport. One morning Fritz attacked on We have plenty of sniping and shooting- good sport. One morning Fritz attacked on our left and after digging in the Fritz kept coming in "Kamerading" right up to our left and after digging in the Fritz kept coming in "Kamerading" right up to midday. Have heard plenty of talk about Fritz coming over and giving himself up midday. Have heard plenty of talk about Fritz coming over and giving himself up but tis the first time I have seen it. T'was funny, also pitiful. They started across No but tis the first time I have seen it. T'was funny, also pitiful. They started across No Mans Land hands right up then their own machine guns at them and then some of Mans Land hands right up then their own machine guns at them and then some of our "fools" started potting at them and they did the Chinese trot in with hands up- our "fools" started potting at them and they did the Chinese trot in with hands up- did look comical for we were in a position to enjoy it. We are only about 300 yds did look comical for we were in a position to enjoy it. We are only about 300 yds from the canal and river --------. Well mother I think this is all this time-would very from the canal and river --------. Well mother I think this is all this time-would very much sooner be getting ready for the theatre than getting ready for my job now. Tis much sooner be getting ready for the theatre than getting ready for my job now. Tis a fighting patrol. We met eight Fritzies last night. Well fondest love to all. Hope a fighting patrol. We met eight Fritzies last night. Well fondest love to all. Hope they are all well and in the best of health. I am in the best of health and spirits. I they are all well and in the best of health. I am in the best of health and spirits. I remain, remain,

Your loving son,Your loving son,Frank. Frank.

The following is the last The following is the last letter to be received by his letter to be received by his

mother and father:mother and father: Dear Father, Dear Father,

Just a line am still Just a line am still out resting out resting everything in the everything in the garden lovely. Am garden lovely. Am enclosing a paper enclosing a paper printed in the field. printed in the field. Hope all at Home Hope all at Home are well. Fondest are well. Fondest love. love.

Frank. Frank.

Vignacourt British Vignacourt British Cemetery. Francis' final Cemetery. Francis' final

resting place. resting place.

From the Army Chaplain to From the Army Chaplain to his mother:his mother:

Dear Mrs Mack Dear Mrs Mack I am writing to tell you of the death of your son Cpl I am writing to tell you of the death of your son Cpl

F J Mack. He was brought in here (61CCS) quite F J Mack. He was brought in here (61CCS) quite early on Monday morning, wounded in the early on Monday morning, wounded in the abdomen. Everything possible was done for him and abdomen. Everything possible was done for him and during the day he seemed to maintain his strength, during the day he seemed to maintain his strength, but towards evening he grew weaker/ died about but towards evening he grew weaker/ died about 8.30pm. I was with him two or three times during 8.30pm. I was with him two or three times during the day and again shortly before he died. the day and again shortly before he died.

It may be of comfort to know that I buried him this It may be of comfort to know that I buried him this morning in a quiet little graveyard far from the morning in a quiet little graveyard far from the noise of battle. His grave is well cared for and will noise of battle. His grave is well cared for and will be marked with a cross. be marked with a cross.

May God comfort you in your trouble and grant to May God comfort you in your trouble and grant to him eternal rest. him eternal rest.

I remain Yours very TrulyI remain Yours very TrulyRevd. G.R.Boycott Chaplain (CofE) 61st C.C.S Revd. G.R.Boycott Chaplain (CofE) 61st C.C.S

Home FrontHome Front The media in The media in

propaganda and propaganda and maintenance of national maintenance of national morale. morale.

World War One opened World War One opened up radical new up radical new employment employment opportunities to women. opportunities to women.

Sacrifice and rationing Sacrifice and rationing Recruitment Recruitment

encouraged to join encouraged to join armed forces with armed forces with friends and class matesfriends and class mates

PropagandaPropaganda

Battle of the SommeBattle of the Somme

The battle is best remembered for its The battle is best remembered for its first day, first day, 1 July1 July 19161916, on which the , on which the British suffered 57,470 casualties, British suffered 57,470 casualties,

including 19,240 deadincluding 19,240 dead

44thth Battalion Royal Scots Battalion Royal Scots

A Story of Friendship and A Story of Friendship and TragedyTragedy

Medical AdvancesMedical Advances

Field Hospital, FranceField Hospital, France

“What passing-bells for these who die as cattle? Only the monstrous anger of the guns.”

CasualtiesCasualties

Allied PowersAllied Powers Military dead:Military dead:

5,520,0005,520,000Military Military wounded:wounded: 12,831,00012,831,000Military missing:Military missing: 4,121,0004,121,000

Central PowersCentral Powers Military dead:Military dead:

4,386,0004,386,000Military Military woundedwounded: : 8,388,0008,388,000Military missing:Military missing: 3,629,0003,629,000

ConclusionConclusion

Johnny Got his Gun (1971)Johnny Got his Gun (1971)

A moving drama which realistically A moving drama which realistically depicts the horrors and evil of war. A depicts the horrors and evil of war. A youthful combatant in the first World War youthful combatant in the first World War finds himself in a hospital bed with both of finds himself in a hospital bed with both of his arms and legs amputated. This was his arms and legs amputated. This was also the inspiration for the song "One" by also the inspiration for the song "One" by heavy metal legends Metallica.heavy metal legends Metallica.

The author of the famous late 1930's antiwar The author of the famous late 1930's antiwar book book Johnny Got His GunJohnny Got His Gun wrote and directed this wrote and directed this film adaptation. It concerns a nameless young film adaptation. It concerns a nameless young soldier (soldier (Timothy BottomsTimothy Bottoms) in a veteran's hospital ) in a veteran's hospital in the World War I period. The young man has in the World War I period. The young man has had his face blown off, he is without the use of had his face blown off, he is without the use of any of his senses save touch, and also has no any of his senses save touch, and also has no arms or legs. He is in a coma at the beginning of arms or legs. He is in a coma at the beginning of the film, and his doctors doubt that he will regain the film, and his doctors doubt that he will regain consciousness. This is also what they hope. A consciousness. This is also what they hope. A nurse, while changing his dressings, discovers nurse, while changing his dressings, discovers that he is awake and responsive. The unrelieved that he is awake and responsive. The unrelieved awfulness of his situation is apparent to many. awfulness of his situation is apparent to many. However, in order to keep the "good order" of However, in order to keep the "good order" of the military, the regular Army general the military, the regular Army general commanding the hospital will not allow the boy commanding the hospital will not allow the boy to be seen or his family notified, nor will he to be seen or his family notified, nor will he permit anyone to perform a mercy killing. permit anyone to perform a mercy killing.