Equilibrium of Carnage at Verdun - Portugal Joins The War I THE GREAT WAR - Week 85

TL;DR

Portugal joins WWI as Verdun battle continues with heavy losses.

Transcript

What was the big news this week? The big news this week was simple. 100 years ago this week Portugal joined the war. I’m Indy Neidell; welcome to the Great War. Last week the charge of the Dorset Yeomanry broke the Senussi defenses on the Libyan front, in the West more and more men were pouring into Verdun as the bloody fighting finished its second... Read More

Key Insights

• Portugal officially entered World War I after Germany declared war on it, following Portugal's seizure of German ships at Britain's request.
• The Battle of Verdun saw intense fighting with both sides suffering heavy casualties, highlighting the brutal nature of modern warfare.
• French forces managed a successful counterattack at Bois de Corbeaux, reclaiming lost ground from the Germans despite heavy losses.
• The Siege of Kut continued with British forces failing to break through Ottoman defenses, leading to a leadership change.
• Russian forces made significant advances in Ottoman territory, capturing key locations and pushing Turkish forces back.
• The morale of British and Indian troops in Kut declined significantly due to food shortages and repeated relief failures.
• General Philippe Petain's defensive strategies at Verdun effectively utilized artillery to counter German advances.
• The involvement of Portugal in the war marked a shift in alliances and increased the complexity of the global conflict.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why did Portugal join World War I?

Portugal joined World War I after Germany declared war on it on March 9, 1916. This declaration followed Portugal's seizure of 38 German and Austro-Hungarian ships in its ports, an action taken at the request of Britain, Portugal's main trading partner. Germany's unrestricted submarine warfare also threatened Portuguese trade, prompting Portugal's entry into the war.

Q: What were the key developments in the Battle of Verdun this week?

The Battle of Verdun saw intense fighting with the Germans launching attacks on Mort-Homme in a snowstorm. Despite initial successes, the French managed a counterattack led by Lieutenant-Colonel Macker, reclaiming the Bois de Corbeaux. The French defense, under General Philippe Petain, effectively used artillery to counter German advances, resulting in heavy casualties on both sides.

Q: What challenges did the British face during the Siege of Kut?

During the Siege of Kut, British forces faced strong Ottoman defenses and logistical challenges, such as the lack of water and the need to transport supplies over long distances. Despite reaching the second Ottoman line at Es-Sinn, the British could not break through, leading to 3,500 casualties and a change in command from General Aylmer to Lieutenant-General Sir George Gorringe.

Q: How did Russian forces perform in Ottoman territories this week?

Russian forces made significant advances in Ottoman territories. They landed at Atine, captured Rize, and drove Turkish forces beyond the river Kalopotamos. In Persia, they captured Cola and occupied Sennah, demonstrating their increasing strength and ability to push back Ottoman forces during this period of the war.

Q: What impact did the ongoing siege have on the troops in Kut?

The ongoing siege at Kut severely impacted the morale and physical condition of the British and Indian troops. Food shortages led to starvation and a decline in vitality, with many soldiers unable to perform basic tasks. The repeated failure of relief efforts further demoralized the troops, leading to a rapid deterioration in their health and stamina.

Q: What role did General Philippe Petain play in the Battle of Verdun?

General Philippe Petain played a crucial role in the defense of Verdun by effectively utilizing artillery strategies. His use of flat trajectory 75mm guns to fire on no man's land whenever the Germans advanced proved highly effective, helping to counter German attacks and maintain French defensive positions despite the challenging conditions.

Q: What were the consequences of Portugal joining the war?

Portugal's entry into World War I marked a shift in alliances and increased the complexity of the conflict. It led to immediate military preparations and the organization of Portuguese troops for deployment to the Western Front. The involvement of Portugal also highlighted the global nature of the war, with new nations joining the fight and adding to the already complex web of alliances.

Q: How did the French counterattack at Bois de Corbeaux unfold?

The French counterattack at Bois de Corbeaux was led by Lieutenant-Colonel Macker, who advanced with his regiment at a steady pace despite heavy German machine gun fire. The French closed ranks, fixed bayonets, and charged, stunning the German forces and reclaiming the territory. However, Macker was later killed, and the Germans briefly retook the area before being halted due to their own heavy losses.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• This week marked Portugal's entry into World War I following Germany's declaration of war, prompted by Portugal's seizure of enemy ships. Meanwhile, the Battle of Verdun raged on, with both sides experiencing heavy casualties as the French mounted a counterattack to reclaim lost ground from German forces.

• In the Middle East, British efforts to relieve the besieged forces at Kut failed once again due to strong Ottoman defenses and logistical challenges, leading to a change in command. Meanwhile, Russian forces made significant progress in Ottoman territories, capturing strategic locations and pushing Turkish forces back.

• The ongoing conflict at Verdun saw the French utilizing effective artillery strategies under General Philippe Petain, while the morale of British and Indian troops at Kut continued to decline due to food shortages and repeated relief failures. Portugal's involvement added a new dimension to the global conflict.