HIST 122 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Trench Fever, Trench Foot, Barbed Wire
Document Summary
Background: the schlieffen plan, opening shots: from the july crisis to the miracle on the western front, stalemate: trench. Germans invade through belgium to france: difficult plan to pull off - unrealistic distance to cover. Belgium (neutral) fought german- slowing their advance: germany destroyed belgium for ruining the schlieffen plan. Once germany defeats belgium they head to paris - fight did not get their in the end. Russians go to attack germany while german"s are in france: disaster. Zig zag trench lines: barbed wire machine guns, communication, support, reserve lines. French trenches worse than germans (german wanted to stay awhile) Atlantic convoy of canadian soldiers sent to england ( salisbury plain) for actual training: rain 70/75 days during training. German spring offensive- straighten up front to gain more soldiers: chorine gas canisters, 2nd ypres in cdn history. Chlorine- asphyxiation, abundant by product of german chemical industry.
