Weapons and Tactics Development Through Ww1

Weapons and tactics Development Through WW1

Battle of Amiens:

• the 3rd battle of Picardy
•  began on 8 August 1918
•  opening phase of allied offensive
• Hundred Days Offensive
• Ultimately lead to the end of WW1
• caused large numbers of German forces to surrender

Military Statistics:

Allies

• Marshal Ferdinand Foch
• Field Marshal Douglas Haig
• Lieutenant General Sir Henry Rawlinson
• Lieutenant General Sir John Monash
• Lieutenant General Richard Butler
• 25 divisions
• 1,900 aircraft
• 532 tanks

Germans

• Generalquartiermeister Erich Ludendorff
• General Georg von der Marwitz
• 29 divisions
• 365 aircraft

Instead of using huge amounts of artillery fire, with an intention to end all trench warfare, the allied forces intended to come in with an element of surprise with a huge line of tanks attacking in uniform order followed by the light troops behind.  The tactic was similar to the creeping barrage. Artillery fire still used to weaken the GErman defenses even before the tank encounter. High amounts of secrecy maintained about war planning.

Achievements:

The allies were able to open up a gaping 15 mile long hole in the GErman line of defense hence finding a crucial weakspot. The British eventually ended up sending the Germans as far back as Hindenburg and hence forcing them to retreat.

Losses: Allied 22,000 men/ German 77,000.

Changes in tactics:

The war at the beginning of the war was almost entirely based on trench warfare and a fatal stalemate had occurred. However by the end, mobility is seen to be a crucial factor in war as it allowed troops to gain land quickly and efficiently. Also, by the end of the war, both sides were constantly gambling on a last attempt to force the opponent to retreat. Also, both sides were not so reliant on artillery fire anymore. Also as tank technology evolved throughout the war they just proved to be more and more efficient. Also sub machine guns were been manufactured that were effective and were highly portable again promoting mobility. Also staying stationary proved to be highly dangerous by the end of the war.

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