World War One

Introduction: World War One was mainly trench warfare. Both opposing sides would have front line trenches and the most casualties that took place is when raiding occurred. Raiding is basically trying to run across no-mans land to the enemies trenches without being shot. Anyone that participates rarely survives. The odds of surviving unharmed are 1000/1. In the ocean, battleship fleets would travel in abnormally large numbers and the ship`s turrets had horrible accuracy. A fleet of ships would consist of about 25 or more. Armies started using spy planes in the air to monitor the enemies ground activities. Then scout planes were built with guns to shoot down the enemies spy planes or to protect their own. Often scout planes would meet each other in the air and fight. That is how dogfights began.

The Battle Of The Somme

The battle of the Somme is considered to be the most famous battle of World War One. On July 1st, 1916 the allies started planning their way to bombard the German front lines. The attack was preceded by an eight preliminary bombardment on the German front lines starting Saturday the 24th of June, 1916. The countries that took place in this battle were: Canada, France, Germany, and Britain. The Canadian troops were considered part of the British army. After the first day of battle there were over 58,000 British casualties, one third of the British army. On September 15, 1916 the first tanks developed by the British (mark 1`s) were deployed along with 15 divisions of troops which gained under a kilometre of ground. There were 24 to 50 tanks that participated in the battle. These tanks were highly unreliable and would get stuck easily. The battle took 4 and 1/2 months between July 1st and November 18th in the year 1916. The battle was fought by the aim of the British Commander in Chief Joffre, to drain the German forces of reserves. At the end of the battle snow brought a halt to the Somme offensive (the British) on the 18th of November, 1916. This resulted in 420,000 British casualties, 200,000 French casualties, and 500,000 German casualties.

Battle of Somme Video

The Battle Of Jutland

The battle of Jutland is believed to be the largest naval battle of World War One. The battle began on May 31st, 1916. The countries that were involved during this battle were Britain and Germany. The battle took place off the coast of Britain. The battle was fought because the German High Seas Fleet Commander had returned the policy of making sorties against the British coast. The battle started when Admiral Beatty, commanding the British battle cruisers encountered the weaker German equivalent under command, Admiral Hipper. The battle was intended to destroy Reinhard Sheer's naval fleet, the German high seas fleet. Admiral Beatty fled north pursued by German dreadnoughts. The Germans got a nasty surprise when Jellicoe's British fleet intervened which they thought was too far north to help. In a night of intense fighting the retreat of the German battle ships were covered by their lighter ships, while Jellicoe lost time after turning to avoid a potential torpedo attack. The Germans lost one battle cruiser, one pre dreadnought, four armoured cruisers and eight destroyers, while the British lost two battle cruisers. Jutland was the last and largest of all the great naval ship battles. Never again did battle fleets meet in such numbers.

Werner Voss

One of the most famous dog fights of World War One started on September 23rd, 1917. The battle took place north of Frezenberg West Flanders. The British ace pilots that were involved in the battle were: James T.B. McCudden, Geoffrey Hilton Bowman, Richard A. Mayberry, Keith K. Muspratt, Arthur Rhys -Davids, and Reginald T.C. Hoidge. The other British pilots that were also involved in the battle were: Harold Hamersley, Robert Chidlaw - Roberts, and Verschoyle P. Cronyn. The German pilots that took place in the battle were: Werner Voss and Karl Menckhoff. The battle was fought to save two SE.5s from Werner Voss. Werner Voss engaged the two SE.5s to protect a German recon plane. He badly damaged both SE.5s and their pilots had to land their planes on the ground below. Then the six British aces engaged Voss causing the battle to begin. The battle took about 10 minutes long. Werner Voss was able to stay in the middle of the British, dodging their attacks and returning fire. About halfway through the battle Karl Menckhoff arrived to help Voss but was quickly shot down by Arthur Rhys - Davids, although Karl Menckhoff survived. The battle ended when Arthur Rhys - Davids shot and mortally wounded Voss who then crash landed. Werner Voss shot holes through all of the SE.5s in his battle against the British. Verschoyle P. Cronyn wrote a letter to his father telling him that his plane was totalled and that he was lucky to be alive. He also wrote that he couldn't sleep that night because of his ordeal. The British pilots regretted Werner Voss`s death. Captain James McCudden said; " His flying was wonderful, his courage magnificent and in my opinion he was the bravest German airmen whom it has been my privilege to see fight". The recognition awards Werner Voss received were; The Blue Max (highest German honor), The Iron Cross 1st and 2nd class, and The House Order Of Hohen Zellern. He had 48 confirmed and 4 unconfirmed kills, second to the Red Baron. Werner Voss was considered by some to be the one pilot who could match Baron Von Richthofen (Red Baron). Werner Voss was also a member of the Red Barons famous flying circus, and a close friend of the Red Baron.

Werner Voss Part 1

Werner Voss Part 2

Werner Voss Part 3