As this week's title suggests, after World War One was completed people across the globe thought we would never have a conflict of that magnitude again. In fact, maybe somewhat obviously, World War One was not called that until we had World War Two. Up until that point, it was referred to as "The Great War".
There are so many different directions the blog can take this week. This is what I've decided...
At this website you'll find twenty-four different "eye witness accounts" of various aspects of World War One. Read the titles to find what sounds interesting and then read the article. You only have to choose ONE for this week's blog.
For the comment section, simply discuss the article you chose. What was the main point? What did you learn about World War One that you did not know? What was interesting/scary/funny/sad etc. about your article. (Make sure your comments are at least 200 words)
The beginning of Air Warfare was on the opening days of the first Civil War. Newly invented airplanes gave a new view on each side of the battlefield. The airplanes were first used during the battle of Mons in small town in Southern Belgium when the British collided with the Germans. This battle halted the German drive into France and saved Paris. The “revelation” made a huge step in air warfare by shooting the enemy from a birds-eye view. Later on they started adding machine gun’s to the planes to make the first fighter plane. Then, they started firing pistols, rifles, and unloaded revolvers to break their opponents propeller.I never knew that the airplanes first arrived during the first World War. I also didn’t know that there was a Battle at the Mons on 1914. I thought it was interesting that even though the British were embarrassed by their retreat from the Germans that it saved many lives, while also saving Paris. It was also interesting in how they thought of putting Machine guns to make “the first true fighter plane,” and how they threw unloaded revolvers at their opponents to break their “spinning propeller.” In the end, the fight led to a development of air warfare. (209)
ReplyDeleteWorld War I quickened the development of new technologies. Of the new technologies, gas was the crudest. A change in wind direction could spell disaster with gas. Chlorine and phosgene gases attacked the lungs, tearing out the breath of its victims. Mustard gas was even worse. Mustard gas attacked the skin, and it burned its way into its victim leaving searing blisters and unimaginable pain. A respirator provided some defense against the gases. The gas looked like a greenish, yellow cloud rolling along the ground. Nothing could stop the gas from coming. One thing I learned that I did not know is that it was the animals that suffered the most because they had no helmets to save them. I thought it was very sad how a soldier saw a little, muddy dog lying dead with his two paws over his nose because of the gas. It was probably very scary to know that if you were just a little too slow in getting on your helmet, then you would die. One witness saw a man that was too slow in getting on his helmet, and he sank to the ground, clutching at his throat, and died. Another witness that was exposed to the gas said it felt like needles pricking his flesh. (213)
ReplyDeleteJordan's Post
ReplyDeleteFor this weeks blog i have chosen to read the article “The German Army Marches Through Brussels,1914”. The overall main point of this article was, Europe in 1914 was divided into two camps. Each camp eyed the other with mistrust, apprehension, and also animosity. Germany and Austria formed central powers while Britain, France, Russia and Italy formed the allied powers. In the 19000’s many things caused major conflict, but every time tempers cooled and war was halted until June 28,1914. That day a Serbian Gunman Assassinated three different people. Franz Joseph, the heir to the Austro- Hungarian throne, and also his wife were the ones assassinated. The shot that killed the Austrian Archduke in Sarajevo caused the spark in the political box. Austria accused Serbia of having a perfect plan for murder. The confidence of the German military allowed Austria to give an ultimatum to Serbia’s government, which would have made the country a possession of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Russia took the side with the Serbs. Serbia agreed to all of Austria’s demands except one. Because Serbia refused their demand Austria declared war on July 28, 1914. ON August first Germany declared war against Russia. Then Germany to declare war against France on August third. Britain then Declared war on Germany on August 4th, then lines were drawn and sides were chosen which started the first World War. (230)
ferdinand von Zeppelin was the inventor of the giant monsters that took to the sky during world war 1. he created them early in the 1900s and they were quickly issued into the germans military to be run as bombers and reconnaisance missions. they giant machines flew almost silently and cast a large shadow. the zeppelin was ran on a large bombing run in london on may 31, 1915. they only sent 1 zeppilin that night, but other raids were ran with up to 16 ships. the british were basically defenseless as they didnt have any weapons to shoot down the zeppelin since they were so high. also, the zeppelins destroyed the british hope. the massive sight of one of these ships coming in to destroy them, although it didnt do much damage, still was very discouraging having to just wait and take it for a while. eventually, aircraft were developed to stop them.
ReplyDeletei think something really sad is that the cities like london who were bombed and raided were almost completely defensless to these ships. the idea of something that big, even if it didnt do tons of damage woudl still discourage everyone and put them in a depressed state. 202 words
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ReplyDeleteBefore Christmas in 1914, the Germans were quickly advancing on Paris. The Allies constructed trenches that began at the English Channel and ended at the Swiss border. Between the two opposing sides’ trenches was land called “No-Man’s-Land.” The account given in this article was written by a British soldier at the time. He said, “On Christmas morning we stuck up a board with 'A Merry Christmas' on it. The enemy had stuck up a similar one.” Soon both sides agreed to a cease fire, initially led by the Germans sending the Allies a chocolate cake. The Allies sent back tobacco. Both sides met in the “No-Man’s-Land” and enjoyed Christmas together, shaking hands, playing games, and drinking beer. Neither side allowed the other to enter their trenches. At dusk both sides returned to their own. “They also told us that the French people had heard how we had spent Christmas Day and were saying all manner of nasty things about the British Army."
ReplyDeleteI think this event was a really cool thing to happen in the midst of a massive war. Two armies of men put aside lesser things like battling to come together on a day they both believed in. The event shows the humanity of both sides, even when they are fighting and killing one another.
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In the year 1914 during World War I the British and the Germanys decided to have a temporary peace fire during Christmas Day. The Germanys started by sending a chocolate cake over to the British the day before Christmas. And on Christmas Day they both decided to go to the place that was neutral territory commonly known as no mans land. The whole day they talk and had a good time. They shared beer and ate together. They even played soccer together. They are broke out in Christmas songs. Soldiers from each side realized that the men had a lot in common. They both had about the same nasty circumstances in the trenches. But both sides agreed that this cease-fire would end at midnight. But the next day no one fired a shot. It was like each side waiting for the other to fire the first shot. The word of the cease-fired was spread to the allies and the. When the relief came to the British army it as told that this idea of a ceasefire was not supported by the others. But it just shows that just because we are opponents does not mean we are that much different.(200)
ReplyDeleteI chose the article about how the men in the trenches sent their Christmas in 1914. The Germans sent a cake to the other side, the enemy trench, and asked if they wanted to cease the fire and battle until Christmas was over with. The British agreed and sent back some tobacco in gratitude. The men from both sides of the trenches began to converse with the enemy and exchange gifts. Some even played soccer with each other. The would tell yell at each other Merry Christmas and share in song with one another. I think it is kind of funny because who would have thought that two enemy armies would share holiday cheer with one another and lift each others up. I think that it is sad that the day after Christmas no one fired because they were waiting for the other side to fire, but instead they just talked to each other. I did not know that they stopped fighting for Christmas, and I also find it sad that they had to fight against men that they had become somewhat friends with. I also wonder if the famous American German chocolate cake got its name from this battle.
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I chose the article about how the men in the trenches sent their Christmas in 1914. The Germans sent a cake to the other side, the enemy trench, and asked if they wanted to cease the fire and battle until Christmas was over with. The British agreed and sent back some tobacco in gratitude. The men from both sides of the trenches began to converse with the enemy and exchange gifts. Some even played soccer with each other. The would tell yell at each other Merry Christmas and share in song with one another. I think it is kind of funny because who would have thought that two enemy armies would share holiday cheer with one another and lift each others up. I think that it is sad that the day after Christmas no one fired because they were waiting for the other side to fire, but instead they just talked to each other. I did not know that they stopped fighting for Christmas, and I also find it sad that they had to fight against men that they had become somewhat friends with. I also wonder if the famous American German chocolate cake got its name from this battle.
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sorry I didn't mean to post it twice
ReplyDeleteDuring world war one the British was desperate to find a way to fight this war and they thought making tanks was a good idea. The creation of tanks started in the summer of 1915 their idea was to combine caterpillar tracks of an American tractor with an iron clad machine that could go over enemy trenches. In the following spring the tanks were tested. The tank’s model name was the Land ship, it consisted two cannon on its sides, it has a crew of four, and can travel 3 miles but there flaws in their design it couldn’t keep out gas, it had mechanical problems, and it was also hot, dusty, and noisy. The first fight they were use in was the battle of the Somme, 50 machines were sent in third attempt to attack and break through the German defenses it didn’t go well only 35 tanks join the fight and the crew had lack of tactics that they could pull off. A man name Bert Chaney saw these tanks and he describe them mechanical monsters , look they would face plant a lot but realize it was balance had machine guns poking out in the sides, and belts and seeing them Bert was completely surprise. I decide to do this one that was about tanks because I really tanks especially in games.words:225
ReplyDeleteIn the summer of 1914, the airplane was less than eleven years old. Aviation was a fledgling technology that fascinated many but still generated skepticism when it came to practical applications. Most airplanes of the time were slow, flimsy contraptions with barely enough power to lift a single pilot and perhaps one passenger. While numerous countries had shown an interest in military aviation, the concept of using airplanes to wage war was still a fairly radical idea. All that changed during the course of World War I. As the war progressed many counties have discovered that planes were great for spying. they also released they could put more then one person if the plain had a bigger engine in it, and due to this they would have one man flying and one man arming a machine gun. Before they had bigger engines in the plains they couldn't have more than one person in they so the man flying the plane had to steer and shoot at the same time, due to this there weren't many single man fighters that were successful. After they found out they could put guns in the plain they realized if they can have two people they could put a bomb in the back instead of a person. (212)
ReplyDeleteBaron Manfred von Richthofen was Germany’s deadliest fighter pilot in World War One. He has over 80 confirmed kills. Manfred became Germany’s top-scoring living ace after his 16th kill. He was awarded the Orden Pour le Merite (the famous "Blue Max"), Germany's highest military honor and given command of his own unit with the best pilot available. To differentiate himself from other pilots, Manfred painted his plane blazing red. He earned the nickname “Red Baron” from his British enemies. His comrades followed suit and painted their plane, and they were called the “Flying Circus”. By the spring of 1918, he had shot down 80 victims. His luck ran out when he chased what would have been his 81st kill deep behind enemy lines. He was felled by a bullet from the ground. He was buried with full military honors after. He was 25 years old. In April, Manfred shot down 21 pilots, which was his highest scoring month. Some would say that his stubbornness led to his death because he chased a plane deep behind enemy lines to try to kill it. Baron Manfred von Richtofen flew an Albatros D.III. He was respected as much by his enemies, as his friends(201)
ReplyDeleteThere were many new weapons introduced in WWI, one of those new weapons being deadly gases. Gas warfare was first used by the Germans. Before the deadly gases were loaded into artillery shells they simply lined up the cylinders of gas and opened them whenever the winds were blowing away from them. This however was very dangerous, as a slight change in the wind could blow the gases back towards you. The two main gases that were used were chlorine & phosphene gas as well as mustard gas, which was considered the worse because you didn't have to breath it in the gas could burn your skin. By the end of the war on the Western Front ¼ of the artillery shells contained gas in them. Even though gas warfare was highly efficient in killing the enemy it was seen as a very crude method of doing so. Arthur Empey was an American who enlisted into the Britain army. He survived the gas attack of 1916. In the battle a bullet grazed his head ripping a hole in his gas mask. He passed out and when he woke everyone had thought the gas had killed him. There were many killed on both sides of the fight. This makes me very sad to read about because this is an awful way of fighting people. The unimaginable pain that the gases must have caused when killing masses of people is just awful to think about. I think it is sad that people used gas warfare just because it was an efficient way of killing despite the crude nature of it.
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Chose the article about the trenches on Christmas Day of 1914. Through intense trench warfare for a long time. Trying to snipe the other courtiers men. Germany decided to make a chocolate cake and send it to the opposing British side. They asked to have momentarily peace to commimmerate the wonderful holiday of Chriatmas. The British accepted their offer and their cakes, and they even gave them tocnacco as their gift. They exchanged other gifts and settled things for the day. They even went out o no man’s land. Aka the mud pit between both camps trenches. They placed their football, our soccer, drank beer, sang Christmas songs, and lived the Chritmas day of 1914 like they were with their families. It was weird neither side would fire because they weren’t 2aitimg on the other too. After playing a game like soccer you build a competitive bond. So it had to be somewhat weird the next day trying to kill the same people you were just loving on the day before. Also the cakes the German chocolate cakes that they sent the Bristish. 5hat is how they got the name German Chocolate Cake; was from the peace offering on Chriatmas day of 1914.
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The US lost thousands during the first world war. It was decided to select one of the many unidentified bodies buried in the American military cemeteries in France to be reburied in Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, DC. This was to remember those who sacrificed their lives. Four bodies of unknown soldiers from four different cemeteries were brought to Chalons on October 23rd and placed in a chamber in the Hotel de Ville, where they were prepared for the selection ceremony and final departure. The casket was placed on the stern of the Olympia, which had been decorated with wreaths, flowers, and flags. School children of Le Havre put flowers around the casket. Two French destroyers acted as escorts to the Olympia as the cruiser pulled away from the pier. I found it interesting how as the Olympia was departing and delivering the bodies to the soldier’s last resting place, there was a salute of 17 guns from the french destroyer to honor America’s cherished hero. Overall, I thought the entire process was interesting. From selecting the bodies that would be going to the National cemetery to the in between ceremonies, and to the final departure. (200)
ReplyDeleteIn the Gas Attack of 1916 the main point of this article developing new inventions during World War 1. The machine gun, the tank, the airplane, the zeppelin, and gas were some of the things that were invented. Gas was the crudest out of all the things invented. Gas cylinders were placed among enemy trenches. Once the wind blew in the air the gas cylinders opened and floated through the breeze. In this article I actually learned a lot. Some of the tactics the soldiers made do defeat their enemies were very smart. Gas travels quietly, so you must not lose any time; you generally have about eighteen or twenty seconds in which to adjust your gas helmet. A gas helmet is made of cloth, treated with chemicals. They had little glass plates to where you could see out of. In this article I thought the way they made gas helmets were very interesting. They have to be smart and make sure no gas got in there helmets or they would die also. One thing I did not like was animals had to suffer the most, the horses, mules, cattle, dogs, cats, and rats, they having no helmets to save them. (word count:201)
ReplyDeleteI read the article about Christmas in the trenches in 1914 this article is very interesting and I would read more of this article if there were more. I learned some very interestign things about World War One that I didn't know. The men of both sides decided on a trice on Christmas Day, or a cease fire. So basically y the war was o pause for a day. The men met in the area in between the trenches which was called "no man's land." The officers of each side were against the men meeting at first, but they soon realized there was no restricting the fellowship, Meeting in "no man's land", the solders brought Crhhstiams gifts fr their opposition. They gave away barrels of beer and some food. The officers then agreed that the war and firing would start back up at midnight. But word got out to the rest that there had been ceasefire and interaction between sides, and the French began bashing them. This is really pett because they had beien in the trenches for 29 days and they only took one day off from fighting because it was CHRISTMAS. I found this Christmas Day very interesting and amusing. (210)
ReplyDeleteThe Red Baron was on the side of the Germans and his real name was Baron Manfred von Richthofen. In World War 1 and had 80 kills before he died at the age of 25 years old. While he was chasing down number 81 behind the British lines. The main subject was his April 1917 or “Bloody April” for more then 912 British men had died 21 of them had died for that of The Red Baron. On April 2, 1917 he did spare one British man after the brit British man surrender. The started off with Baron being the last man in the air when the went off the fight British. He was facing off with a Englishman and Baron did get shot and it messed up his engine, but he still fought and brought Englishman down. Baron had 32 kills and Lieutenant Voss were both had 33 kill and were up there trying to kill more then the other. Baron and Voss were going back to their Squadrons when all of a sudden became under fire. He and another Englishman faced off again and this time the Englishman engine got shoot and had to land he did surrender. Baron did not kill him after he landed. I did not know that they kept count for that for the number of kills they had. I also never heard of the “Flying Circus” flyers on the Germans side. The interesting part that Baron Manfred von Richthofen was rewarded the Orden Pour le Merite or the Blue Max after his sixteenth kill.(261)
ReplyDeleteThe article that I chose to read was about "Christmas in the trenches" in 1914. It was sadly only one article, however. Through this article I have come to learn some very interesting things about World War I that I did not know prior to this assignment. On both sides, they had agreed on a treaty, which means that they stopped fighting. This treaty was agreed on on Christmas day. This treaty had only lasted one day. This treaty was made for one day, simply because it was Christmas. On Christmas, they even brought each other presents. They gave each other their presents in no mans land. At first the main officers were completely against them meeting, but only in no mans land. The men also exchanged food and alcohol. The agreement came up that they would continue fighting as soon as Christmas was over,which is at midnight. However, the French found out about this and all heck broke loose. They started to raid them and it was deemed as unfair because of how long they had been in the trenches. At this point, they were only in the trenches for 29 days. I personally found this article very interesting. (200)
ReplyDeleteI did my blog on Battle of Gallipoli ,1915
ReplyDeleteThe spring of 1915 was the beginning of the war in the Western front. The front stretched from the English Channel to the Swiss boarder. No sides could out flank each other, because they would either going in to Swiss land which they guarded or they wold be in the Swiss waters which soldiers would drown from all the weight they carried with the and they would be snipped off one by one. The only thing the Germans and British/French could do is go on a direct attack which was very deadly because of the trenches which were very well defended as they had machine guns and men at watch at all points day and night. Weinstein Churchill and other great leads of the allies got together to see how to get around it to help the Western front. Mediterranean to Istanbul was a great attack to help the front. Churchill sent his troops by Water to attack turkey. They got there and Turkish forces were prepared and had trenches built and men waiting. The allies lost 252,000 men which added up to 52% for the British and French. The Turks lost 300,000 men which was 60% of there men.(209)
In the end of November of 1914, times were terrible in the trenches. The weather was terrible, and soldiers were suffering from health issues in the trenches. The warfare went on, the sniper fire went on, and the machine gun fire went on. But, on Christmas eve of 1914, the firing ceased. Both sides sent over "Christmas packages" and the " Christmas Truce" had commenced. The Germans seemed to make the first move. They sent a chocolate cake over to the other trench and asked if they could have a Christmas concert. The British responded with a gift of tobacco and accepted the offer. They eventually sang together over the trenches. Then eventually, both sides made their way up to "No Man's Land" and talked to each other. They participated in soccer games against each other. The Germans gave the British some beer and promised that the beer would not make the British drunk. The British accepted and with the help of some of the men, they got the barrels over to the other side. They agreed to resume fighting as soon as Christmas was over. The French did not like that this happened. They said terrible things about what they did. (201)
ReplyDeleteI read about the treaty of Versailles. This treaty was organized by the leaders of France, Italy, Great Britain, and the US. The organizing of the treaty took place in Paris, France, and 21 nations attended. As I mentioned, most of the negotiating and organizing of the treaty went on between France, Italy, Great Britain and the United States. These nations were known as "The Big Four". Woodrow Wilson, the president of the United States at the time, fought for his "fourteen points" and his League of Nations. While most of the other nations just wanted to avenge the crimes done to their countries. The Treaty of Versailles was supposed to be a treaty to end all wars, but ironically enough it actually was the main cause for World War II. This treaty that Germany was forced to sign took tons of their land, military and money from them. They now, and many leaders of theirs in the future looked for revenge on the countries that stoke everything from them. The most interesting thing I read was definitely how the treaty meant to end all wars ended up starting one of the biggest Wars ever. (200 words)
ReplyDeleteI chose the article on how the men at war spent their 1914 Christmas. They began to exchange gifts. Both of the sides lifted up a board that said “Merry Christmas”. The Germans sent over cake. The British sent over tobacco. Moments later there was a temporary trues between the opposing armies. The trues lasted all of Christmas Day. They began to talk to the other troops the best they could. Some of the troop started to play soccer. When the french heard about the way that they spent their Christmas they were not happy and started spreading nasty things about the British army. I️ think that this is a cool and funny event in history. I think it was cool that they stopped hating each there and stopped trying to kill each other to drink a beer on Christmas. The thing that baffles me is how they can stop fighting for a day to celebrate Christmas but then they went right back to their trenches. Why was it that the trues could not last forever. Other than that I think it was pretty cool that they stopped fighting to celebrate Christmas with each other because they were away from their families. I just wish that the trues could have been the final trues and the war could have ended on Christmas 1914. (215)
ReplyDeleteFirst Post C: Paytn Cripps
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