Scotland and the Impact of the Great War

From the source

• Points from the source which show the candidate has interpreted the significant views:

• The war caused tremendous excitement across the country which resulted in magnificent displays of patriotism.

• War appealed to the author directly as he knew it would mean a terrible (hard) fight.

• The image of the small BEF against the massive German columns appealed to his spirit of adventure and he realized he could not continue in civilian life.

• Pride in being able to join a regiment of his choice.

Recall

• The outbreak of war in August 1914 saw an immediate and widespread response in Scotland. Thousands of young Scottish men rushed to join up.

• Belief that it was a just war and would be of short duration.• Scotland produced more volunteers in proportion to population than any

other part of the U.K.• Of the 157 battalions that made up the BEF 22 were Scottish regiments.• Scots were proud of their regiments with their kilts and tartan, and there

was great pride in local regiments.• 320,589 Scots volunteered for Kitchener’s New Armies. (13% of those

who volunteered in 1914-15 were Scots)• Enthusiasm for war was seen in formation of ‘pals battalions’ for example

in Glasgow the 15th HLI represented the tram workers, the 16th the Boys Brigade, the 17th the Chamber of Commerce.

• In Edinburgh similar units were formed and became the 11th, 12th and 13th Royal Scots. The 15th and 16th Royal Scots - Cranston’s Battalion and McCrae’s Battalion.

• Spirit of groups like the Hearts Football squad.

Points from recall which offer a wider contextualisation such as:

• Military tradition - there was a strong belief that the Scots were natural soldiers that somehow soldiering was in the Scottish blood.

• Scots were willing soldiers with a strong volunteer tradition with the highest rates of volunteering in the UK in 1914.

• Involvement in the local territorial force was an important part of Scottish life.• Scots were highly patriotic and loyal and reliable and always ready to defend

their country.• Other reasons for joining such as - the attraction of a regular wage/ escape

from poverty.• Influence of women – encouragement from wives/mothers etc.• Pay (one shilling per day) and a break from the daily grind and a promise of

food and shelter – barracks were a marked improvement on living conditions.

Over by Christmas?

• The initial speed of the German Schlieffen Plan as it attacked through Belgium suggested that the war would be over quickly.

• General Kitchener, Secretary of War, was the only one to predict that it would take at least 3 years to defeat the Germans.

The BEF initially halted the German advance at Mons

However they were forced to retreat. The B.E.F stopped

them again at Marne

How were trenches formed?

• Finding themselves unable to advance, the Germans retreated and ‘dug in’.

• The British followed suit by digging trenches too.

• Each side tried to break the other by outflanking

• But this failed and they continued to dig until:– TRENCHES STRETCHED 400 miles from English

channel to Swiss border.

DEAD

LOCK

Heavy defence lines

Barbed wire Machine gun fireHeavy artillery

destroyed natural drainage

MUD

DIFFICULT TO ATTACK

Black Watch at New Year

Never there for more than 4 days on the front line, constant turnover to keep morale high.Debugged, washed and ironed when in reserve lines. Disillusionment set in once the men realised the war was not going to be won quickly.

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNdRUvtr2zM