Summer, 1916. So far the Russians had suffered appalling losses and the French had born the brunt of German attacks at Verdun, which seemed to drag on and on. France alone had had more than one million men killed or missing in action.
This episode follows the course of mobilization in England. In addition to the regular army, masses of civilians were recruited by General Kitchener and other military celebrities. The narration recounts not just the training of the new men and officers but the development of supply lines to keep them fed, clothed, and armed. It was about this time that the steel helmet began to replace the field caps and tams. One regiment of the British Army wore obsolete blue uniforms that mail men had once worn. The standard ration at the front centered on cans of tinned beef mixed with an assortment of vegetables. Horses and mules also needed care.
The massed attack of both the weary French and the fresh British was scheduled for early July and there is considerable footage of their preparations. You should see the size of some of the artillery pieces, -- monstrous, like major caliber naval guns of the period.
The episode ends with the bombardment that precedes the attack of the infantry.
This episode follows the course of mobilization in England. In addition to the regular army, masses of civilians were recruited by General Kitchener and other military celebrities. The narration recounts not just the training of the new men and officers but the development of supply lines to keep them fed, clothed, and armed. It was about this time that the steel helmet began to replace the field caps and tams. One regiment of the British Army wore obsolete blue uniforms that mail men had once worn. The standard ration at the front centered on cans of tinned beef mixed with an assortment of vegetables. Horses and mules also needed care.
The massed attack of both the weary French and the fresh British was scheduled for early July and there is considerable footage of their preparations. You should see the size of some of the artillery pieces, -- monstrous, like major caliber naval guns of the period.
The episode ends with the bombardment that precedes the attack of the infantry.