World War I Expert Rates 6 WWI Battles in Movies | How Real Is It? | Insider
TLDRIn this insightful analysis, Professor Alexander Watson, a historian and First World War expert from Goldsmiths, University of London, critically examines the historical accuracy of battle scenes depicted in various films set during the Great War. He discusses the use of weaponry, tactics, and the portrayal of soldiers and officers, highlighting both the strengths and inaccuracies in these cinematic representations. Watson underscores the importance of barbed wire in no-man's-land, the evolution of German defenses, and the misuse of tracer and incendiary bullets. He also critiques the implausibility of certain scenes, such as the use of gas against attacking troops and the depiction of tanks and their vulnerabilities. Furthermore, he touches upon the underrepresentation of Indian troops on the Western Front and the portrayal of the Red Baron's aircraft. Watson concludes with his appreciation for 'Journey's End' for its realistic portrayal of the tension and claustrophobia experienced by soldiers during the war.
Takeaways
- 🎬 The portrayal of trenches in war movies often lacks the extensive barbed wire that would have been present in reality.
- 🚀 In 1918, the German army was equipped with more than just rifles, including light machine guns like the MG 08/15 and light mortars.
- 🔥 Tracer and incendiary bullets were used during WWI, but primarily for anti-aircraft purposes and not by frontline machine guns due to the risk of exposure and war crime implications.
- 🏰 Historical inaccuracies in war films can include buildings like churches remaining intact when they would have been targeted by artillery.
- 👮♂️ Officers leading and directing troops during battle was a common practice, often overlooked in movies.
- ⚠️ The use of gas in warfare was prevalent from 1915, with chlorine and phosgene being the primary agents, but their application was tactical and not as depicted in some scenes.
- 😷 The correct usage of gas masks during the war is often misrepresented; they needed to be sealed at the collar for effectiveness.
- 🤖 The depiction of tanks in warfare, such as the 1918 Saint-Chamond French tanks, was sometimes misleading, as they were more vulnerable and had specific tactics for defense.
- 🇫🇷 The use of flamethrowers by the French during WWI is sometimes inaccurately portrayed, with units not typically leading the first wave of attacks.
- 👑 Manfred von Richthofen, the Red Baron, was known for his brightly colored aircraft, which served more as a personal signature than a tactical advantage.
- 🎈 Observation balloons were crucial for artillery accuracy and were targeted by pilots, despite the significant risks and difficulties involved in their destruction.
Q & A
What is the main criticism of the barbed wire depiction in the trenches as described by Alexander Watson?
-Alexander Watson criticizes the omission of barbed wire in no-man's-land, which would have been a key feature in the actual trenches during the First World War. He points out that this omission is likely for dramatic purposes to allow a character to run towards the enemy lines.
What was the typical composition of the German army by 1918 according to the transcript?
-By 1918, the German army was not solely composed of riflemen. They had light machine guns such as the MG 08/15 and minenwerfer, a light mortar, which were used to confront potential threats like a female superhero as depicted in the movie.
Why were tracer or incendiary bullets not used by frontline machine guns in the First World War?
-Tracer or incendiary bullets were not used by frontline machine guns because they would expose the user's position, risking an enemy artillery and mortar attack. Additionally, using incendiary bullets against enemy troops was considered a war crime during the period of 1914 to 1918.
Why would a church depicted in the background of a battle scene be historically inaccurate?
-A church in the background would be historically inaccurate because it would have been the first structure targeted and destroyed by heavy artillery due to its potential use as an observation post.
What is the significance of the officer leading the men in the battle scene?
-The presence of an officer leading the men and maintaining control is significant because it reflects a more accurate portrayal of military command and direction during the First World War, which is often overlooked in war movies.
Why is the use of a warning gong in no-man's-land during an attack depicted as incorrect?
-The use of a warning gong in no-man's-land during an attack is incorrect because warning gongs were used in the trenches to signal gas attacks, not for signaling during an offensive maneuver where carrying such an item would be impractical and unnecessary.
What was the primary use of gas in the First World War?
-Gas was primarily used as an offensive weapon in the First World War. It was heavier than air, so it would sink into trenches and dugouts, posing a significant threat to defending troops. It was not typically used against attacking troops in the open.
Why was the use of gas against attacking troops in the open not a plausible strategy?
-Using gas against attacking troops in the open was not plausible because the gas would sink to the ground, affecting the defending troops in the trenches and dugouts more than the attackers who were above the gas level. Additionally, the gas's lethal effects took hours to manifest, which was not ideal for immediate defense.
What is the correct way to wear a British PH helmet, a mid-war gas mask?
-The correct way to wear a British PH helmet was to ensure an airtight seal by stuffing the bottom of the mask down the wearer's collars. The character in the scene was depicted wearing it incorrectly, which would render the mask less effective.
What is the criticism regarding the depiction of the French tanks in the battle scene?
-The criticism is that the French tanks are shown as vulnerable to artillery fire and using smoke to obscure their approach, which is accurate. However, the German defenders' behavior is unrealistic as they are shown as helpless riflemen without employing anti-tank tactics that were available to them in 1918.
Why is the depiction of the French using flamethrowers in the first wave of an attack historically inaccurate?
-The depiction is inaccurate because flamethrowers were not used in the first wave of an attack. They were used to help clear trenches but were not the primary weapon. Additionally, using them in the first wave would create an impenetrable wall of fire that would prevent the advancing French troops from proceeding.
Outlines
🎬 Historical Accuracy in WWI Films
Professor Alexander Watson, an expert on the First World War, critiques the historical accuracy of battle scenes in WWI movies. He discusses the use of grenades, the presence of barbed wire, and the composition of the German army in 1918. Watson points out the misuse of tracer and incendiary bullets, the implausibility of certain scenes like a church standing behind the lines, and the correct depiction of gas warfare and its effects. He also appreciates the representation of officer leadership and control in the trenches.
🚂 Trench Defenses and WWI Tactics
The paragraph focuses on the incorrect depiction of French trenches and the counterintuitive positioning of German defenses. Watson explains that trenches were designed to defend in one direction, and the scene inaccurately shows them facing the wrong way. He also details the correct procedure for German soldiers when facing an advancing tank, including the use of flare guns to signal artillery. The paragraph highlights the lack of anti-tank measures and the incorrect portrayal of French tanks and their capabilities.
✈️ Aerial Warfare and Observation in WWI
This section discusses the portrayal of aerial combat and observation techniques during WWI. Watson describes the high casualty rate among German pilots and the use of barrage balloons to force enemy aircraft to higher altitudes. He corrects the misconception about the use of these balloons on the Western Front and emphasizes the importance of observation balloons for artillery accuracy. The paragraph also addresses the difficulty and danger of bringing down these balloons due to their durability and the presence of anti-aircraft weapons.
🏺 Representation of Indian and Anzac Troops
The final paragraph addresses the representation of Indian and Anzac troops in WWI films. Watson appreciates the recognition of the 85,000 Indian troops who served on the Western Front and the portrayal of the Lahore Division's Sikh troops. However, he criticizes the unrealistic depiction of an aerial attack and the use of British weaponry by German forces. Watson also points out the inaccuracies in the portrayal of the Gallipoli landing and the exaggerated bloodiness of the scene. He concludes with his recommendation of 'Journey's End' for its realistic representation of the tension and claustrophobia of waiting for an attack in the First World War.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡First World War
💡Trench Warfare
💡Barbed Wire
💡Machine Gun
💡Tracer Bullets
💡Artillery
💡Gas Mask
💡Tanks
💡Flamethrower
💡Red Baron
💡Barrage Balloons
Highlights
The omission of barbed wire in no-man's-land in the depicted scene is a significant error as it was a key defensive feature.
By 1918, the German army was equipped with light machine guns and mortars for defense, not just riflemen.
The use of tracer or incendiary bullets by frontline machine guns was not common due to the risk of exposing position and being a war crime.
Churches and tall structures near the front lines would typically be destroyed to prevent their use as observation posts.
Officers leading and directing troops was a common practice, often overlooked in war scenes.
The use of gas in no-man's-land against attacking troops was implausible due to the gas sinking and the immediate need for defensive impact.
The British PH helmet shown in the scene was worn incorrectly; an airtight seal was necessary for effectiveness.
The portrayal of French tanks using smoke to obscure themselves from artillery fire is well represented.
German defenses, including flare guns and anti-tank weapons, were not accurately depicted in the scene.
The use of flamethrowers in the first wave of an attack was not typical and would have hindered the advancing French troops.
The Red Baron, Manfred von Richthofen, and his brightly painted aircraft are accurately depicted, showcasing the lack of tactical reason for the colors.
Barrage balloons were not as prevalent along the Western Front as depicted, with observation balloons being more common for their accuracy in artillery fire.
The difficulty and danger of bringing down observation balloons with machine guns or flares is highlighted.
The presence of Indian troops on the Western Front is recognized, although their representation in the scene is not historically accurate.
The portrayal of the Australian troops' landing at Anzac Beach at Gallipoli is exaggerated in terms of the number of defenders and the use of machine guns.
The film 'Journey's End' is praised for its realistic representation of the tension and claustrophobia of waiting for an attack, rather than the realism of battle scenes.
Transcripts
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