The Great War's 105th Birthday: Celebrating World War 1

The Great War's 105th Birthday: Celebrating World War 1

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Australian diversion at Fromelles
3. British night attack at the Somme
4. Russian steamrolling of Austrians
5. French and British combined attack
6. Preliminary bombardment and starting times
7. Uncoordinated minor attacks
8. Failures and successes at the Somme
9. Colossal offensive by Brusilov
10. Austro-Hungarian leadership issues
11. German takeover of the eastern front
12. Battle of Baranovichi
13. Successes and defeats in Anatolia
14. Miscellaneous events of the week
15. Conclusion

Introduction

The two-year mark of World War I serves as a reminder of the devastating battles fought and the resilience of the soldiers. This article delves into the events of the week, exploring the Australian diversion at Fromelles and the British night attack at the Somme. The Russian steamrolling of Austrians and the combined French and British attack are also discussed. The article highlights the failures and successes at the Somme, as well as the colossal offensive led by Brusilov. Issues within Austro-Hungarian leadership and the German takeover of the eastern front are examined. The Battle of Baranovichi and the outcomes in Anatolia add further depth to the narrative. Various miscellaneous events of the week are covered, leading to a comprehensive understanding of this critical period in history.

Australian Diversion at Fromelles

One of the major events during this week of the war was the Australian diversion at Fromelles. The objective of this operation was to prevent German troops from heading south to the Somme. However, it turned out to be a disastrous move. The German troops did not leave for the Somme, leading to the failure of the diversion. This setback highlighted the need for better coordination and planning in future operations. Despite the failure, it demonstrated the bravery and determination of the Australian troops in their efforts to aid the overall war effort.

British Night Attack at the Somme

Another significant event of the week was the British night attack at the Somme. Prior to this attack, a preliminary bombardment took place to weaken the German defenses. The main attack was scheduled for the early morning of July 23rd. However, due to miscommunication and delays, the attack became fragmented with different starting times for various divisions. The lack of coordination and the staggered nature of the attack prevented any element of surprise. As a result, the British forces faced strong resistance from the German machine gunners who had adapted their tactics. Despite the challenges, the British artillery managed to bombard the German trench defenses in the sector around Guillemont, achieving some success. However, the overall outcome of the night attack was deemed a failure, emphasizing the importance of proper planning and unified strategies in future offensives.

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