TftF (6): Battlefields of 1914

Introduction

TftF (6) provides a brief outline of the main battlefields where action occurred in Western Europe and Mesopotamia during 1914.

On the Western Front, the larger canvas consisted of the resistance made by French troops against the German invasion of their territory. Within that, France’s ally, Britain, played a considerable role. The British involvement falls into three periods: August and early September; the rest of September and October to December.

Period I (Battle of Frontiers): late August to early September.

During this, the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) landed in France before moving into Belgium, where they confronted the invading German army at Mons, situated 30 miles from Brussels. This battle extended over forty-eight hours. On the first day, the Allies managed to hold their position against the larger enemy numbers. On the second, however, the Allied general staff decided to withdraw towards France. Action on this day consisted of holding the attackers long enough for the retreat to succeed. The withdrawal lasted several days. It included a major battle (Le Cateau) and a series of skirmishes. By early September, the troops neared Paris. The French and British generals decided to attack. During this period, the style of warfare resembled that characterising past major campaigns. Cavalry played an important role. The infantry operated as a mobile force, travelling over large distances. British infantry demonstrated their skill in rapid rifle fire.

Period II (Race for the Sea): rest of September.

During this part of the war, the Allied forces pushed the Germans back northwards, reversing the direction of the retreat from Mons. Two major battles occurred during this phase of the war.  Both centred on crossing a river, first the Marne, second the Aisne. The passage over the Marne proved easier than over the Aisne. Nevertheless, both battles caused many casualties. After the Aisne crossing, the Germans provided substantial resistance against the Allied advance. The warfare began to consist of defensive encounters fought from entrenchments. Also, Germany changed its strategy. Instead of taking Paris as their objective, the Germans decided to capture key French ports situated along the English Channel. This put pressure on the British to protect their supply routes and to avert any chance of invasion. In secret, both sides transferred forces north from the Aisne defensive positions in the race to the sea.

Period III (1st Battle of Ypres): October to December.

As they moved northwards, the British and French forces attempted to turn the enemy’s flank, thereby protecting the ports. During the first half of October, the British troops had reached an area which ran between La Bassee and Ypres. Severe fighting occurred during this period, distributed along this line. In the early period, the BEF became involved in several attempts to capture La Bassee. Much fighting took place along the canal. Its character, however, anticipated much of the tempo which persisted through the rest of the war. Fierce, hand-to-hand encounters took place over patches of land that would pass to and fro between the two sides. Indian troops entered the fighting. To the north lay Ypres, the line separating the sides bulging eastwards. At the end of October, the Germans made several determined attacks. These resulted in many deaths, but their objective, to take Ypres, failed.

Chronology of the Mesopotamian Front: 1914

Taking Basra

The British in India had long regarded the area now covered by Iraq and Iran as a threat. Global antagonists might attempt to invade the sub-continent through this area. In the nineteenth century, they had intrigued against Russian influence in the area (‘The Great Game’). In the early twentieth century, Germany’s support of the Ottoman Empire replaced the Russian threat. Furthermore, geological exploration had discovered oil. This had strategic importance, since the Royal Navy had begun the process of replacing coal with oil as its source of engine power. The British government took ownership of the company drilling oil near Basra. Once Turkey had declared war, in support of Germany, the British acted to protect this oil. They dispatched an exploratory expedition from India. It landed at Fao in November. Quick victories here and at Sahil preceded Basra‘s capture. The British secured their position by taking Kurna, the point where the Tigris and Euphrates meet.