Winter operations 1914–1915 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Winter operations 1914–1915 |
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| Part of Western Front of the First World War | |||||||
 West Flanders 1914–1915 |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 German Empire |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Douglas Haig | Crown Prince Rupprecht | ||||||
The Winter operations 1914–1915 were a series of military actions during the First World War. They took place from November 23, 1914, to February 6, 1915. These operations happened on the Western Front in parts of France and Belgium. This area was held by the British Expeditionary Force (BEF).
After the "Race to the Sea" in late 1914, both sides tried to attack. The British and French attacked towards Lille in October. Then, the BEF, Belgian, and French armies attacked in Belgium. Germany launched its own attack on October 21. However, the German armies could only capture small areas. This came at a very high cost for both sides. This happened during the Battle of the Yser (October 16–31) and the First Battle of Ypres (October 19 – November 22).
By November 8, 1914, the Germans realized their attacks had failed. They could not advance along the coast or capture Ypres. Attacks by both sides were quickly stopped. The armies then quickly built field defenses. Attacking these defenses led to many losses. By the end of the First Battle of Ypres, both armies were very tired. They were low on ammunition and their soldiers were losing hope. Some soldiers even refused orders. After this battle, both sides started fighting from trenches. They tried to improve their positions. This was hard because of the winter weather, tired troops, and a lack of supplies.
Contents
Why the Fighting Started
The "Race to the Sea"
From September to October 1914, both sides tried to get around the other's northern side. This was like a race to see who could reach the coast first. The French and German armies moved their troops north. Each side hoped to find an open area to attack. But as soon as one army moved, the other would meet them. This meant there was no open side to go around.
The German army, for example, found itself fighting the French instead of going around them. By October, the French needed British help to stop German attacks near Lille. The British army also moved to Flanders. They joined the French on their left side. This "race" ended when both armies reached the North Sea. There was no more open land to move around. This meant the fighting had to happen in a straight line, leading to trench warfare.
New Ways of Fighting
In October 1914, British and French commanders talked about how to support infantry attacks. They wanted to find better ways for artillery to help soldiers. They thought about a "moving wall of fire." This idea would become a common way to use artillery later on.
Germany also changed its plans for defense. In January 1915, Germany decided to build stronger defenses. This would allow them to hold ground with fewer soldiers. This meant they could send more troops to fight Russia on the Eastern Front. The plan was to build a main trench line and a second trench behind it. These trenches would be connected by covered paths. If the front trench was lost, they would try to get it back with counter-attacks. If that failed, they would connect the remaining parts of the line. This would stop a full breakthrough. These new defenses took a long time to build. They made it harder for the British and French to attack.
Armies also learned about wireless communication. They had expected to use telegraphs and telephones. But in enemy territory, wireless was very important. However, no army had good ways to hide their messages. This meant that enemies could listen in. From September to November 1914, the British and French listened to many German messages. These messages helped them know when and where German attacks would happen. This gave them warnings about eight major German attacks.
Battles in Flanders
The First Battle of Flanders
After the "Race to the Sea" ended, both sides tried to attack. The British and French attacked near Lille in October. Then, the British, Belgians, and a new French army attacked in Belgium. Germany started its own attack on October 21. But the German armies could only take small areas. This cost many lives on both sides. This happened at the Battle of the Yser and further south at Ypres.
By November 8, Germany realized their attacks had failed. They could not take Ypres. Both sides had failed to gather enough troops quickly for a big win. Attacks were stopped fast. Armies then built quick defenses. Attacks against these defenses led to many casualties. By the end of the First Battle of Ypres, both sides were very tired. They were low on ammunition. Soldiers were losing their spirit. Some even refused orders.
The failure in Flanders made both sides build even stronger trenches. This made it even less likely that armies could move around freely. In November, Germany changed its overall plan. The failures showed that Germany did not have enough power to win a quick, big victory in the west. Germany decided to try to wear down the Allies. They hoped the war would become too costly for the Allies. This might make one Allied country want to make peace.
Winter Fights
Fighting at Festubert
From November 15 to 22, the British and French reorganized their defenses in Flanders. The British army held a long front line. The Indian Corps, part of the British forces, held a 2-mile (3.2 km) section. For three weeks, the weather was bad. Both sides shelled each other, sniped, and carried out small raids. The British did several night raids in late November.
On November 23, German soldiers captured 800 yards (730 m) of trench east of Festubert. But a night counter-attack by the Meerut Division of the Indian Corps took it back. This cost the Indian Corps 919 soldiers.
Attack on Wytschaete
The French commander, Joffre, planned a series of attacks. He learned that Germany was moving some of its troops to fight Russia. Joffre asked the British to join in. On December 14, he wanted the British to attack along their front. The French would attack from Wytschaete northwards.
The British commander, Sir John French, ordered his troops to attack. But the French attack did not reach its goals. The British 3rd Division got very close to the German line but found uncut barbed wire. One British battalion captured 200 yards (180 m) of German trench and took 42 prisoners. The attack on Wytschaete failed. German artillery fired back much more heavily than the British had.
Small attacks continued on December 15 and 16. But the German defenses were strong, and the mud was very deep. No real progress was made. On December 17, the French and British stopped attacking in this area. Joffre ended the attacks in the north.
Defense of Givenchy
On December 20, at dawn, German heavy artillery and mortars shelled the Indian Corps' front line. At 9:00 a.m., ten large mines exploded under the British lines at Givenchy. German infantry then attacked. They captured trenches near Givenchy and advanced 300 yards (270 m) east of Festubert.
Later that day, British reinforcements arrived. The next day, these troops attacked towards Givenchy. The ground was waterlogged, and German machine guns slowed them down. They reached Givenchy after dark. British and French troops took the village back. But a small area near Festubert remained in German hands. The British troops were very tired and had to be replaced. Other British forces took over the line on December 22.
First Action of Givenchy
On January 25, a German soldier gave up and told the British about a planned German attack. He said it would happen against Cuinchy, French positions, and Givenchy. About 90 minutes later, German troops attacked north of the canal. Near Givenchy, German soldiers reached strong points behind the British lines but could not go further. A quick counter-attack by the British 3rd Brigade pushed the Germans back. They recaptured the British trenches. They took 72 prisoners and killed 135 German soldiers.
Fighting at Cuinchy
In January 1915, rain, snow, and floods made fighting even harder. The ground was flat and low-lying. Clay soil meant water could not drain away. Trenches filled with water. Many soldiers stood knee-deep in water. They had to be replaced twice a day. In January, many soldiers got sick.
On January 1, a German attack captured several British posts near the La Bassée Canal, close to Cuinchy. British counter-attacks failed to take them back at first. A bigger British attack on January 10 recaptured the posts. They fought off three German counter-attacks. But then they lost the posts again on January 12.
Another German soldier told the British about a new, bigger German attack. It would be against Cuinchy, French positions, and Givenchy. About 90 minutes later, German troops attacked on both sides of the canal. They reached Allied strong points but could not advance further.
On January 29, there were two more German attacks, but they were pushed back. Another attack on February 1 took a post, but it was quickly recovered by a British counter-attack. On February 6, British troops attacked in the dark. They captured the brick stacks and improved their line. German counter-attacks failed. One group of Germans tried to trick the British by calling out, "Don't shoot, we are engineers!" But the British were alert and did not fall for the trick.
What Happened Next
Battle of Neuve Chapelle
On March 10, at 7:30 a.m., the British began a 35-minute artillery bombardment. About 90 field guns fired on the German barbed wire around Neuve Chapelle. The wire was destroyed in ten minutes. Other guns fired on the German trenches, which were about 3 feet (0.9 m) deep. The German defenses were destroyed by the shelling.
At 8:05 a.m., the British infantry attacked. German defenses in the center were quickly taken over a wide area. Neuve Chapelle village was captured by 10:00 a.m.
However, on the left side of the attack, about 200 German soldiers with a machine gun held up the British advance for more than six hours. This stopped the attack. Also, communication problems meant British commanders could not keep in touch with each other. The attack became disorganized, and supplies were not delivered well. On March 12, German forces launched a counter-attack. This made the British use most of their artillery ammunition. The British attack was stopped on March 13 and completely given up two days later.
Images for kids
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German and Allied operations, Artois and Flanders, September–November 1914
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Indian reinforcements who fought at Givenchy, December 1914
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Affairs of Cuinchy, 29 January, 1 and 6 February 1915
