War Policy Committee facts for kids

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The War Policy Committee was a small, important group of British leaders during World War I. Most of them were part of the War Cabinet, which was like the main decision-making team for the war. This committee was created to plan the best ways to fight the war.

It was started on June 7, 1917, by Lord Milner. He shared an idea with his fellow War Cabinet members. The committee included important people like the Prime Minister, David Lloyd George, Lord Milner, Edward Carson, Lord Curzon, and Jan Smuts.

What Was the War Policy Committee?

The War Policy Committee was a special group of top British government officials. Their main job was to make big decisions about how Britain would fight in World War I. They decided on war plans and strategies.

Why the Committee Was Formed

The committee was formed for a few key reasons. One big reason was the Russian Revolution. Russia, an ally, was going through major changes. There was a chance they might leave the war. The committee needed to discuss what this would mean.

Another reason was that the United States had just joined the war. This was a huge change, and the committee needed to plan how to work with this new ally. Lord Milner believed all allies should work together for the common good. He didn't want countries making separate plans.

Interestingly, around the time Lord Milner suggested this committee, a massive explosion happened on the Western Front. British forces detonated 19 underground mines. This was one of the biggest human-made explosions ever. A general even joked that they might "change the geography."

The War Policy Committee became very important. It discussed almost every major plan the allies made until the war ended. Lord Milner and Lord Curzon led the committee. Jan Smuts was their Vice Chairman.

The First Big Decision: The Flanders Offensive

One of the first big things the committee discussed was a plan from Field Marshal Douglas Haig. He wanted to launch a summer attack in Belgium. The goal was to destroy German U-Boat bases along the coast. U-Boats were German submarines that were sinking many Allied ships.

Prime Minister Lloyd George and Lord Milner were worried about this plan. They remembered the huge losses from the Battle of the Somme the year before. However, Jan Smuts and Edward Carson supported the idea. Lord Curzon also leaned towards it.

Even Bonar Law, who wasn't on the committee but was close to Lloyd George, supported the attack. So, the committee approved the Flanders Offensive. They agreed to stop the battle quickly if things went badly. Unfortunately, the battle became very difficult and costly.

What the Committee Decided

On August 10, the War Policy Committee shared its report on war strategy. They had some important conclusions:

• Russia's Help: They realized that Russia probably couldn't offer much help anymore.
• French Armies: The French armies were very tired and worn out from fighting.
• German Morale: Reports that German soldiers were losing their spirit were not true.
• Naval Operations: They needed to study naval attacks more. Also, the system of using convoys (groups of ships traveling together for safety) needed to get better.
• Casualties: The war was causing too many deaths and injuries. They couldn't keep replacing soldiers at this rate. The war couldn't continue at this level of intensity through 1918.
• New Attack Idea: They suggested attacking Austria through Italy. This would involve the Italian army more. It would also let them attack the enemy where they were weaker, not stronger.

After the Flanders Offensive

The Flanders Offensive started on July 31, 1917, and ended on November 10, 1917. It was very hard to stop, partly because generals like Haig and his intelligence chief, Brigadier-General John Charteris, were too optimistic. Charteris was replaced in January 1918. By the time of the German Spring Offensive in March 1918, five of Haig's closest generals had been replaced.

In November 1917, Italy suffered a big loss at the Battle of Caporetto. This event made the allies realize they needed even better coordination. It led to the idea of a Supreme War Council. This new council would help all the allied countries work together against the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria). It also helped create the overall war plan for 1918.

Other Important Discussions

The War Policy Committee also discussed other important topics. Lord Curzon had a plan for an "African Monroe Doctrine." This idea was about how European countries should deal with their territories in Africa.

Another discussion involved Winston Churchill's ideas. He made recommendations about how many tanks should be produced in 1918. Tanks were a new and important weapon in World War I.