Could You Survive as a German Soldier in World War One?

History Hit・2 minutes read

The German Army's advance towards Paris in 1914 was halted at the First Battle of the Marne, leading to the establishment of a defensive line and trench warfare. The introduction of new weapons like tanks and gas attacks posed challenges for German soldiers, culminating in the collapse of the German Army in 1918 with the United States joining the war.

Insights

  • The German Army's rapid expansion from 800,000 to 3.5 million men at the beginning of World War I showcased the scale and intensity of the conflict, highlighting the immense mobilization efforts undertaken by Germany to bolster its military forces.
  • The introduction of chemical warfare by the German Army in 1915, particularly the use of chlorine gas, marked a deadly turning point in the war, leading to a new era of brutal and indiscriminate tactics that caused panic and devastation among Allied forces, emphasizing the harrowing impact of technological advancements on the battlefield.

Get key ideas from YouTube videos. It’s free

Recent questions

  • What was the German Army's rapid expansion at the start of the war?

    3.5 million men

  • What was the impact of the German Army's defeat at the First Battle of the Marne?

    Establishment of a solid defensive line

  • How did German soldiers protect themselves against gas attacks?

    Using various gas masks

  • What difficulties did German soldiers face with the Mark I tank in 1916?

    Engine faults and artillery precision

  • What was the psychological battle German soldiers faced against tanks?

    Emphasizing the need to combat the new threat

Related videos

Summary

00:00

German Advance Towards Paris in WWI

  • By early September 1914, the German Advance had reached within 30 miles of Paris, executing a modified version of the Schlieffen Plan.
  • After successful counter offensives by the British and French forces, the Germans were forced to retreat and dug in north of the Aisne River, leading to a stalemate.
  • Specialist miners dug tunnels up to 12 meters long, impacting survival chances on the battlefield.
  • The defeat at the First Battle of the Marne in late summer 1914 ended hopes of a march on Paris, leading to the establishment of a solid defensive line.
  • Compulsory military service in Germany required civilians to serve a minimum of 2-3 years from age 20, with potential reconscription up to age 45.
  • The German Army rapidly expanded from 800,000 to 3.5 million men within 12 days at the start of the war.
  • German soldiers were equipped with a basic uniform, rifle, and the iconic spiked helmet known as the Pickelhaube.
  • The German Mauser rifle, with a bolt action and a capacity of five rounds, was seen as inferior to the British Lee-Enfield rifle.
  • German soldiers had various hand grenades, including the stick grenade, and utilized the MG08 machine gun with a rate of fire of 450 rounds per minute.
  • German trenches were more sophisticated than British ones, dug deep, reinforced with concrete and steel, and designed with proper drainage systems and fortified living quarters.

16:36

"Chemical Warfare in World War I"

  • By 1918, meat had disappeared entirely from Russian territories due to scarcity.
  • German soldiers behind the lines resorted to buying or trading with civilians in occupied territories to supplement their diet.
  • In 1915, the German Army introduced chemical warfare with the use of chlorine gas at the Battle of EA.
  • Chlorine gas caused a choking effect, leading to death and panic among Allied forces.
  • The Germans initiated the first lethal gas attack at Ypres in 1915, prompting the Allies to retaliate at the Battle of Loos later that year.
  • Gas attacks were identified by a rolling smoke screen across No Man's Land, with chlorine gas being visible and phosgene gas being invisible.
  • Protection against gas attacks initially involved using handkerchiefs or socks soaked in urine to neutralize chlorine gas.
  • British soldiers later utilized various gas masks, such as the black veil respirator and the pH Hood, to protect against different gases like chlorine and phosgene.
  • Weather conditions were crucial for successful gas attacks, requiring a steady breeze in the right direction for effectiveness.
  • Underground warfare, including mining, saw a resurgence during World War I, with the British successfully detonating 19 mines beneath the German front lines at Messines in 1917, causing significant destruction and chaos among German forces.

32:57

German Soldiers' Struggle Against Tanks in WWI

  • German soldiers encountered difficulties with the Mark I tank in 1916 due to engine faults and German artillery precision.
  • By 1917, Allies increased tank usage on the Western Front, leading German soldiers to become more familiar with tanks but still struggling to combat them effectively.
  • German soldiers experimented with various methods to combat tanks, including firing machine guns and capturing and repurposing British tanks.
  • New weapons like flamethrowers and submachine guns were introduced by the end of the war, along with unconventional tools like trench body armor and sniper masks.
  • German soldiers faced a psychological battle against tanks, with commanders emphasizing the need to stand their ground and combat the new threat.
  • In 1917, German soldiers faced a significant tank assault at Corre, leading to territorial losses and setting the stage for further defeats.
  • The introduction of the United States in 1918, alongside increased firepower and manpower, signaled the imminent collapse of the German Army, with many soldiers suffering from Shell Shock, a new illness poorly understood at the time.
Channel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatar

Try it yourself — It’s free.