The First World War Basic Background. Enlistment & Recruitment

Transcription

1 Chapter 6 - Grade 8 Social Studies Part 1: The Front The First World War Basic Background Many countries in Europe were considered Allies, in order to protect each other in a time of war. In 1914, Britain, France and Russia went to war against Germany and Austria-Hungary. Newfoundland, as a colony of Britain, automatically entered the war on the side of Britain. Canada and other allies, joined the war on Britain s side soon afterwards. 2 Enlistment & Recruitment At the beginning, many young men were eager to fight. It was an adventure, an event of a lifetime, and a way to show pride in your country (patriotism). Some were convinced that it was important to fight in order to save the world from the evil of the enemy. There were posters and news reports and propaganda used to convince people of how important this was. 3

2 War Posters One Method of Propaganda 4 There were several branches of the service which men could join to help in the war. While some were at the front, fighting, others were helping in the background. All were important in the war effort. 5 Newfoundland Regiment 6240 enlisted First 500 known as the Blue Puttees Pictured here marching in St. John s Royal Naval Reserve 2050 enlisted fought as part of the British Navy pictured here men from the ship Calypso 6

3 Forestry Corps 500 enlisted Cut wood for mines (metals for war and trench warfare at the front) worked in the forests of Britain & Scotland Merchant Marines 5000 enlisted as sailors on ships worked bringing supplies and men across the Atlantic 7 Volunteer Aid Detachment They were female nurses and health care workers They went to England & France to work in hospitals. 8 The Battles of World War I 9

4 European Battles The Newfoundland Regiment fought in many battles across Europe. The most famous was the Battle of the Somme, specifically for Newfoundlander s it was at a place called Beaumont Hamel. 10 Beaumont Hamel Early morning of July 1, 1916 After setting off a huge explosion, supposed to stun the Germans, 801 men of the Nfld Regiment went out of their trenches and moved towards the German lines. Many were shot down by machine guns, trapped in barbed wire, or blown up by artillery shells. 11 Beaumont Hamel A mine exploded at Hawthorne Ridge created this crater just before the attack at Beaumont Hamel. It was intended to stun the Germans, however they were securely dug in when it went off. Many men crawled across No Man s Land (the space between their own trenches and those of the enemy) only to become tangled in barbed wire, where they were shot by German soldiers. 12

5 Beaumont Hamel When the battle was over, the wounded were gathered off of the battlefield, brought in to hospitals if wounded, and returned to their regiments if they were still able to fight. Only 68 men of the Newfoundland Regiment were available for roll call the next morning, out of the 801 who had gone over the top the morning before Regiment Losses of World War I Enlisted in regiment 6240 Died 1261 Wounded 2314 Total Returning

6 Additional Resources part1_entering_the_great_war.asp The rooms has a fantastic website for WWI - included is the video from these notes and a lot of interactive features. 16