1917 Warfare
Introduction:
The year 1917 saw some of the most significant battles of World War I, known as the Great War. During this year, new tactics and technologies were introduced by both sides in an attempt for a decisive victory. Many of these battles were fought in the trenches, with both the Allied and Central Powers struggling to gain the upper hand. In this blog post, we will examine some of the key events and battles of 1917 warfare.
The Battle of Arras:
In the early months of 1917, the British Army planned a new offensive in the area around Arras, France. The goal was to break through the German lines and capture the town of Cambrai. This attack was launched on April 9th, and included a massive artillery barrage that lasted for several days. The bombardment was one of the largest to date in the war, and was meant to destroy the German defenses and create a gap in their lines that the British could exploit.
However, the Germans were well-prepared for the attack. They had built deep underground bunkers and tunnels that protected their troops from the artillery barrage. Additionally, they had developed new tactics that allowed them to quickly move troops and supplies from one area to another. The battle quickly turned into a bloody stalemate, with neither side gaining much ground.
The Battle of Messines Ridge:
In June of 1917, the British launched an attack on Messines Ridge, a strategic position in western Belgium that was held by the Germans. The operation was meticulously planned and involved digging tunnels underground to place explosives beneath the German positions. The bomb was detonated on June 7th, and the resulting explosion was one of the largest ever seen up to that point in history. The blast was heard as far away as London, over 150 miles away.
The explosion created a giant crater in the ground that was over 100 feet deep and 300 feet wide. The British troops charged forward from their trenches and quickly captured most of the German positions. The battle lasted for several days, and the British were eventually able to secure the ridge. The success of this battle was due to the careful planning and use of new technologies, which allowed them to overcome the formidable German defenses.
The Battle of Passchendaele:
The Battle of Passchendaele, also known as the Third Battle of Ypres, began on July 31st, 1917. The objective was to push the Germans back from the Belgian town of Ypres and capture the high ground around Passchendaele. The Allied forces, mostly British, were led by General Douglas Haig. He ordered a massive artillery barrage that lasted for two weeks before the infantry advance began.
The battlefield was a quagmire of mud, which made movement difficult and slowed progress. The Germans had also built strong defenses, including concrete bunkers, pillboxes, and barbed wire. The British suffered heavy casualties and little progress was made. The battle degenerated into a series of bloody skirmishes, with neither side able to gain a clear advantage.
The battle ended in November, with the British holding much of the captured ground, but at a heavy cost. There were over 300,000 casualties on both sides, and the town of Ypres was left in ruins.
New Technologies:
1917 was a year of significant technological advancements that were used to change the course of the war. One of the most significant was the development of the tank. The British introduced the Mark IV tank in September of 1917, which was used to break through German lines. The tanks were heavily armored and had machine guns mounted on them.
Another important new technology was the use of aircraft in combat. Planes were used for reconnaissance, aerial combat, and bombing. Both sides developed more advanced planes, and many air battles were fought over the trenches.
The introduction of gas warfare was one of the most notorious events in 1917. Poison gas was used as early as 1915 but became more widespread in 1917. The Germans introduced a new gas, phosgene, which was more deadly than the previous gas attacks. The Allies responded by developing gas masks that could protect against a variety of poisons.
Conclusion:
The year 1917 saw some of the most brutal battles of World War I. Thousands of soldiers died in the trench warfare, and new technologies and tactics were employed to try and break the stalemate. The British were able to make some gains with their use of tanks and explosives, but the Germans were also able to adapt and develop new defenses. The introduction of gas warfare was one of the most controversial events of the year, causing widespread terror and death. Overall, 1917 marked a turning point in the war, with both sides developing new strategies and technologies that would change the nature of warfare forever.
