Stretch June 1916 a little, adding a day at each end—31 May and 1 July. This minor astronomical adjustment allows adding two monumental events, to what was already a hyperactive historical period. In hindsight, we can see a different kind of war emerged after this Long June. Collectively, they had changed the game, and other forces—not evident to the combatants at the time—had been set loose or were accelerated.
Consider this list:
31 May - 1 June: The Battle of Jutland
Despite some tactical successes, Germany discovers her big ship-building program has been a waste and must look to submarine warfare. This will inevitably bring the United States into the war.
3 June: President Wilson Signs the National Defense Act of 1916
A success of the Preparedness Movement, the legislation expands the standing army and the National Guard, creates the Army Air Division, establishes the Reserve Officer Training Corps, and facilitates mobilization should war come, which it did ten months later.
4 June: The Brusilov Offensive Is Launched
Russia's biggest "success" of the war will cost one million casualties and contribute to the demoralization of the army. For the Central Powers, Austria-Hungary's military will be decimated and become utterly subordinate to Germany's. The road to the dissolution of Empires has opened.
5 June: Arab Revolt Begins with an Assault on the Ottoman Medina Garrison
Much is still debated about the military importance of the Arab operations partly led by T.E. Lawrence, but the political importance of Sheik Hussein and his sons siding with the British at this time is undeniable. For the British Empire, Gallipoli had been a failure, the surrender of Kut had been a disaster, and the Ottoman Sultan's call for jihad was still in force. By siding with the British, Feisal guaranteed that the Arabs would not be unified against the Allies, that Egypt would remain a safe base of operations for them, and that Allenby's advance would not have to worry about a huge and open right flank on its march north. What it meant for the Middle East of today is complicated and beyond discussion here.
8 June: Fort Vaux Captured & Final Assault Launched (23 June)
Refocusing on the right bank, Germany attempts a concentrated offensive to capture Verdun that is ultimately defeated in July by French artillery. The appalling casualties, however, will take a near-fatal toll on French Army morale.
1 July: The Battle of the Somme Opens
The greatest battle of attrition in the West will bring a most critical problem to everyone's attention: the belligerents of 1914 are now running out of men—the war cannot go on forever. Germany, under Hindenburg and Ludendorff, will consciously wage "total war." The Allies, being more populous, will continue trying to wear down the opposition.
All-in-all, the Long June of 1916 led to a different kind of war in 1917 and 1918 and, eventually, a different world than the politicians and people of 1916 thought they were fighting for.
Wow. I haven't thought of all of these being contemporary, but that's a *lot*!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant observation! As a complementary piece, I’d like to see an analysis of the many changes in tactics during the Great War which shifted military science from the 19th century to the 30th. Armor, a more refined grasp of artillery, nascent blitzkrieg tactics, both tactical and strategic air warfare, changes in naval warfare, and many other refinements were adopted in that four year period and a timeline would be interesting.
ReplyDeleteIt is possibly worth adding the death of Field Marshal Earl Kitchener on 5th June 1916, while a passenger on the cruise HMS Hampshire which struck a mine in the North Sea. Maybe that encapsulates the transition of the old order of Generals and politicians steeped in Empire and Victorian values, to a more technocratic and pragmatic Modernism that lasted the rest of the twentieth century.
ReplyDeleteExcellent point.
DeleteThis might make a fine historical novel.