Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    5 Minute History Great Battles
    5 Minute History Great Battles
    5 Minute History Great Battles
    Ebook71 pages2 hours

    5 Minute History Great Battles

    By Scott Addington

    ()

    Read preview

    About this ebook

    How did the First World War start? Who were the main players? Where did the fighting begin? And why were there so many casualties? If the 100-year anniversary of this war to end all wars has left you feeling a little under-informed, Five Minute History is the perfect way to read up on this major conflict in short bursts and without pages of intricate detail. A perfect overview for the uninitiated, each book will inform and educate you of the ups and downs of the First World War even if you have never read a history book in your life.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherThe History Press
    Release dateApr 1, 2014
    ISBN9780750955126
    5 Minute History Great Battles

    Read more from Scott Addington

    Related to 5 Minute History Great Battles

    Related ebooks

    Wars & Military For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      Hell On Earth

      Jun 8, 2023

      Hell On Earth
      5 min read

    • Article

      Cambrai Dawn Of The Tank Age

      Oct 30, 2017

      Cambrai Dawn Of The Tank Age
      13 min read

    • Article

      Gravelotte 1870

      Sep 3, 2020

      Gravelotte 1870
      4 min read

    • Article

      Clash On The Devil’s Bridge

      Jun 18, 2020

      Clash On The Devil’s Bridge
      7 min read

    • Article

      How The West Was Won

      Feb 18, 2021

      How The West Was Won
      9 min read

    • Article

      Enter The Afrika Korps

      Oct 2, 2017

      Enter The Afrika Korps
      11 min read

    • Article

      The Raj In Wwi indian Corps

      Oct 6, 2022

      The Raj In Wwi indian Corps
      9 min read

    • Article

      BREAKTHROUGH AT SAINT-Lô

      Aug 3, 2021

      BREAKTHROUGH AT SAINT-Lô
      10 min read

    • Article

      A Dismal Existence

      Jun 8, 2023

      A Dismal Existence
      5 min read

    • Article

      A Ridge Too Far

      Apr 13, 2021

      A Ridge Too Far
      10 min read

    • Article

      Mind The Gap

      Jun 10, 2022

      Mind The Gap
      4 min read

    • Article

      Wellington Rifles

      Jun 14, 2018

      Wellington Rifles
      7 min read

    • Article

      War Pigeons

      Mar 11, 2024

      My radar picked up the first squadron of rockies coming in over the hills from the north. A loosely-spaced bundle of specs rapidly approaching the field of ripening sunflowers. I felt a rise of excitement as I waited for the first birds to drop into

      6 min read

    • Article

      Breaking Rommel’s Siege

      Nov 29, 2018

      Breaking Rommel’s Siege
      11 min read

    • Article

      Crucial engagement

      Feb 26, 2020

      Crucial engagement
      7 min read

    • Article

      Patrick Anthony Porteous

      Sep 1, 2022

      Patrick Anthony Porteous
      5 min read

    • Article

      Gordon Flowerdew

      Feb 19, 2018

      Gordon Flowerdew
      6 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for 5 Minute History Great Battles

    0 ratings

    0 ratings0 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

      Book preview

      5 Minute History Great Battles - Scott Addington

      CONTENTS

      Title

      Introduction

      Mons

      The First Battle of the Marne

      The Battle of Tannenberg

      The First Battle of Ypres

      Neuve Chapelle

      Gallipoli

      Loos

      Jutland

      Verdun

      The Somme

      The Brusilov Offensive

      The Battle of Messines Ridge and Third Ypres

      Cambrai

      Kaiserschlacht

      The Battle of Amiens

      Bibliography

      Copyright

      INTRODUCTION

      THE FIRST WORLD War lasted for four years, four months and fourteen days, and accounted for over 35 million casualties, almost half of which died; indeed, 230 soldiers perished every hour of the conflict over those four-and-a-bit years. The attrition rate was, and still is, truly astounding.

      For a soldier in the front-line trenches, there was a continual fight with the enemy, even if there was no official battle or ‘big push’ raging. Trench raids, snipers, grenades and, of course, the shelling from enemy artillery caused front-line soldiers on both sides to be in almost constant danger. If this wasn’t enough, on top of these daily terrors there were numerous large-scale offensives that have gone down in history as some of the most destructive and bloodiest battles ever waged.

      As well as the huge loss of life, these battles are important due to their use of new technology. This was a time when the science of warfare was developing fast; poison gas, underground mines, grenades, mobile flame-throwers, tanks, advances in artillery tactics and the use of the air force for integrated air and ground offensives were all refined on the battlefields of the First World War. It was also when warfare reached beyond the professional soldier. Millions of ordinary men from all over Europe signed up to fight for their country. Even today the newspapers and online communities are full of newly discovered family heroes and their stories, and more often than not, this story involves one of the major battles such as Mons, Loos, the Somme or Passchendaele.

      In trying to describe these battles for this 5 Minute History I have tried to be as succinct as possible without losing sight of the main points for the reader. I have also included a few interesting facts to add a bit of context, plus, with the inclusion of several eyewitness accounts, I have tried to inject a personal touch to these enormous battles. These are particularly fascinating and I have been moved when piecing them all together!

      I hope you enjoy this brief overview of some of the most pivotal battles of the First World War and I hope it inspires you to read some of the brilliant in-depth accounts of these clashes that can be found both online and in physical bookshops.

      SMA

      Spring 2014

      MONS

      JUST A MATTER of weeks after declaring war on Germany, 80,000 members of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) along with 30,000 horses and 315 guns of assorted size and calibre had landed in France and were marching straight towards the enemy who were passing through Belgium on their way to Paris.

      It was on 22 August 1914 that the British got their first glimpse of a German soldier. During a routine reconnaissance patrol four enemy cavalrymen of the 2nd Cuirassiers were spotted by a forward patrol of the 4th Royal Irish Dragoon Guards, who immediately gave chase and opened fire. Captain Hornby of 1st Troop led his men in the pursuit and charged the Germans, killing several. He returned with his sword presented, revealing German blood.

      DID YOU KNOW?

      Four Victoria Crosses were won during the first day of fighting at Mons. They were awarded to Lieutenant M.J. Dease, Private S.F. Godley, Captain T. Wright and Corporal C.A. Jarvis.

      Meanwhile, to the rear, the rest of the British Expeditionary Force decided to entrench roughly along a loose line at the Mons-Conde canal. They didn’t really know how many Germans were on the other side of the waterway, but they would find out soon enough. Less than

      Enjoying the preview?
      Page 1 of 1