World War I Expert Rates More WWI Battles In Movies | How Real Is It? | Insider

How Real Is It? | Podcast
9 May 202316:02
EducationalLearning
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TLDRProfessor Alexander Watson of Goldsmiths, University of London, critiques the historical accuracy of First World War battle scenes in films. He analyzes cavalry roles, the misuse of machine guns, and the importance of synchronization with artillery. Watson praises the depiction of French infantry tactics and the use of smoke screens but criticizes the lack of realism in trench warfare and the portrayal of naval battles. His expert commentary provides insight into the realities of WWI combat, highlighting both the films' achievements and inaccuracies.

Takeaways
  • đź“š Alexander Watson, a history professor at Goldsmiths, University of London, critiques the historical accuracy of First World War battle scenes in movies.
  • 🏇 The script discusses the initial mobility of the war, with cavalry playing a significant role, contrary to the common perception of the war as static.
  • đź—ˇ An important omission in the portrayal of British cavalry is their lack of rifles, as they were trained for multiple roles including scouting and acting as mounted infantry.
  • 🔫 The depiction of machine gun placements in a forest is unrealistic, as six machine guns would be an overkill and not representative of the actual allocation in 1914.
  • â›” The script points out the impracticality of cavalry charging towards concentrated machine gun fire without seeking cover or attempting to flank.
  • đź’Ł The use of smoke to screen French infantry from enemy fire in 1916 is accurately represented, showing an understanding of battlefield tactics.
  • 🎖️ Authentic uniforms and helmets, such as the Adrian helmet, are highlighted, emphasizing the importance of head protection in reducing casualties.
  • đźš‘ The script notes the absence of light machine guns in the portrayal of French infantry, which had been developed by mid-1916.
  • ⏱ The synchronization of infantry attacks with artillery bombardment is emphasized, highlighting the importance of timing in successful military operations.
  • 🕰️ Watches are described as crucial tools for coordinating attacks, reflecting the need for precise timing in warfare.
  • đź’Ł The use of Bangalore torpedoes to clear barbed wire is accurately depicted, showing the ingenuity of soldiers in overcoming obstacles on the battlefield.
  • ❄️ The portrayal of winter warfare, including the use of snow camouflage and the challenges of icy conditions, adds a layer of realism to the battle scenes.
Q & A
  • What is the role of cavalry in the First World War as described by Alexander Watson?

    -According to Alexander Watson, cavalry played a significant role in the First World War, especially in August 1914. They were not only trained to charge but also to scout and act as mounted infantry. They could dismount to defend a position or work around to the flank of a position, making them versatile and useful.

  • Why is the portrayal of British cavalry in the film inaccurate according to the script?

    -The portrayal is inaccurate because the British cavalrymen in the film are shown without rifles, which is a significant error. They were trained to use rifles for scouting and acting as mounted infantry, in addition to charging.

  • How many machine guns were typically allocated to a German regiment in 1914?

    -In 1914, a German regiment, which consisted of around 3,000 men, was allocated six machine guns.

  • What is the unrealistic aspect of the machine gun placement in the film?

    -The film is unrealistic in placing six machine guns aimed at their own camp from behind three trees. In reality, such a concentration of machine guns would not be used in such a manner, and they would be spread out to cover a larger area of about 2 kilometers.

  • What would a cavalryman realistically do when confronted by machine guns?

    -A cavalryman would not continue charging towards machine guns. Instead, they would veer off to the left or right, seek cover, and use their training as mounted infantry to dismount and attempt to take the machine guns from the flank.

  • Why is charging into a forest on horseback a bad idea for cavalry?

    -Charging into a forest on horseback is a bad idea because it could result in the horse's legs being broken, which is highly dangerous and counterproductive for the cavalry.

  • What is the significance of the Adrian helmet in the French army during WWI?

    -The Adrian helmet was significant as it was the first proper head protection introduced by the French army to reduce head injuries and fatalities from shrapnel, despite not being bulletproof.

  • What is the importance of spacing out during an infantry attack as shown in the script?

    -Spacing out during an infantry attack is crucial for survival. Clumping together presents a perfect target for machine guns, so keeping space between soldiers was a key aspect of avoiding concentrated fire.

  • Why were watches considered as 'weapons of war' during the First World War?

    -Watches were considered 'weapons of war' because synchronization of attacks with artillery bombardment was essential for success. Officers used watches to time their assaults correctly, ensuring coordination with the artillery support.

  • What is the significance of the creeping barrage in infantry attacks?

    -A creeping barrage was a line of artillery shells that moved forward at set times, clearing no man's land of defenders and keeping enemy heads down. It was vital for infantry to advance with this barrage to avoid heavy casualties.

  • What is the historical inaccuracy in the portrayal of the naval battle between the Russian destroyer and the German armored cruiser?

    -The historical inaccuracy lies in the depiction of a close combat scenario between a much smaller Russian destroyer and a larger German armored cruiser. In reality, the German ship would have destroyed the Russian ship before it got close, and the sinking of the Friedrich Carl was due to a mine, not a massive explosion on the bridge or deck.

  • How did the Latvian Riflemen deal with barbed wire during their attack on the German line?

    -The Latvian Riflemen used a Bangalore torpedo, a type of pipe bomb, to clear the barbed wire. They pushed it under the wire, lit the fuse, and detonated it to create a path through the obstacle.

  • What is the significance of the Brodie helmet in protecting soldiers during WWI?

    -The Brodie helmet was designed to protect soldiers' heads, particularly from shrapnel. Its design included hardened steel and a rim to provide maximum protection for the head, which was a vulnerable area when soldiers were outside the safety of the trenches.

  • Why is the portrayal of the naval battle in the clip considered unrealistic?

    -The portrayal is unrealistic because it suggests a fight between a destroyer and an armored cruiser that would not have occurred due to the significant size and firepower difference. Additionally, the manner of the Friedrich Carl's sinking due to a mine is misrepresented with an explosion on the bridge or deck, which is inaccurate.

Outlines
00:00
đź“š Historical Analysis of WWI Movie Cavalry Scenes

Alexander Watson, a history professor at Goldsmiths, University of London, critiques the portrayal of cavalry in First World War films. He notes the initial mobility of the war, the role of cavalry with swords, and their training for multiple roles including scouting and acting as mounted infantry. Watson points out the omission of rifles for British cavalry and the unrealistic depiction of machine gun placements, suggesting that cavalry would have used their training to dismount and flank such positions instead of charging headlong. He also comments on the impracticality of cavalry charging into a forest, which could result in injured horses.

05:02
🎬 Authenticity in Depicting French Infantry and Warfare Tactics

The script discusses the realistic aspects of French infantry attacks in WWI, including the use of terrain for cover, the synchronization of attacks with artillery, and the importance of timing. It mentions the development of light machine guns by the French and the use of smoke to protect advancing troops from enemy fire. Watson appreciates the authenticity of uniforms and the introduction of the Adrian helmet for head protection. He also explains the significance of the ridge on medical corps helmets for protection against airbursts from shells. However, he criticizes the lack of machine gun depiction and the unrealistic portrayal of an officer going over the parapet without artillery support.

10:04
❄️ Winter Warfare and the Latvian Riflemen on the Eastern Front

This paragraph details the Latvian Riflemen's attack on a German line in a marshy area of the Eastern Front during the winter of 1917. Watson describes the use of a Bangalore torpedo to clear barbed wire and the soldiers' snow camouflage made from bedsheets. He highlights the strategic advantage of frozen marshes allowing for an attack that would be impossible in other seasons. The script also illustrates the soldiers' use of bayonets as ice axes to climb an icy slope. Watson praises the clip for its attention to detail, including the realistic actions of experienced troops under fire and the desperate measures taken to overcome natural obstacles.

15:07
🚢 The Unrealistic Portrayal of a Naval Battle in the Baltic Sea

The final paragraph critiques a fictional naval battle scene between a Russian destroyer and a German armored cruiser in the Baltic Sea. Watson explains the disparity in size and firepower between the two ships, making the destroyer's chances of success minimal. He points out the unrealistic nature of the battle's depiction, including the survival of the Russian ship despite direct hits from large caliber guns. Watson also addresses the inaccurate portrayal of a mine explosion, which in reality would have occurred near the waterline and not resulted in the dramatic explosion shown in the film. He concludes with a low rating for the naval battle scene due to its lack of historical accuracy.

Mindmap
Keywords
đź’ˇFirst World War
The First World War, lasting from 1914 to 1918, was a global conflict primarily centered in Europe and involving many of the world's major powers. It is a central theme of the video, as the script discusses various aspects of warfare and tactics used during this period. For example, the script mentions the role of cavalry in 1914, the development of light machine guns by mid-1916, and the synchronization of attacks with artillery bombardments by 1917.
đź’ˇCavalry
Cavalry refers to soldiers mounted on horses and trained for combat. In the video, the script corrects a common misconception that cavalry became obsolete early in the war, highlighting their multiple roles, including charging, scouting, and acting as mounted infantry. The script points out the omission of rifles for British cavalrymen in a depicted scene, which was historically inaccurate.
đź’ˇMachine Guns
Machine guns are automatic, rapid-firing firearms that were a significant factor in the First World War, changing the dynamics of warfare. The script critiques the unrealistic portrayal of machine gun deployment in a movie scene, explaining that six machine guns would not be concentrated behind three trees as shown, but would be spread out to support a larger area, reflecting the importance of accurate historical representation.
đź’ˇNo Man's Land
No Man's Land refers to the contested territory between opposing military lines, often the site of intense conflict. In the script, the use of smoke in No Man's Land by the French infantry to screen their advance from enemy fire is mentioned, illustrating the strategic use of the environment to protect troops during an attack.
đź’ˇSmoke Shells
Smoke shells are artillery projectiles designed to emit smoke upon detonation, used for concealment or signaling. The script describes their use by the French to provide cover for advancing infantry, demonstrating a historically accurate tactic for minimizing visibility to enemy forces.
đź’ˇAdrian Helmet
The Adrian helmet was a type of military helmet used by the French Army during World War I, designed to protect against head injuries from shrapnel. The script notes the authenticity of this helmet's depiction in the video, emphasizing its role in reducing casualties among French troops.
đź’ˇCreeping Barrage
A creeping barrage is an artillery technique where a line of explosive shells moves forward at a set pace, ahead of advancing infantry, to suppress enemy defenses. The script criticizes a scene for lacking this element, explaining that by 1917, infantry attacks were typically conducted in conjunction with a creeping barrage for protection.
đź’ˇTrench Warfare
Trench warfare is a type of warfare where opposing forces face each other across a network of trenches, characteristic of much of World War I. The script discusses the design of the trenches, including the parapet for shooting and the parados for protection, and the importance of advancing with artillery support.
đź’ˇBrodie Helmet
The Brodie helmet was a type of steel helmet used by British soldiers during World War I, designed primarily to protect against shrapnel. The script comments on the helmet's design, which included a rim to shield the head, and its effectiveness in protecting soldiers when they were most vulnerable outside the trenches.
đź’ˇLatvian Riflemen
The Latvian Riflemen were a nationalist unit within the Imperial Russian Army that operated on the Eastern Front during World War I. The script describes their unique battle conditions, such as fighting in a marshy area without trenches, and their use of improvised tactics like the Bangalore torpedo to clear barbed wire.
đź’ˇBangalore Torpedo
A Bangalore torpedo is a long, metal tube packed with explosives, used to clear obstacles like barbed wire. The script illustrates its use by Latvian Riflemen to get through German defenses, showing a practical example of the innovative solutions soldiers employed during the war.
Highlights

Cavalry played an important role in the early stages of the First World War, contrary to the common perception of the war as static.

British cavalry were trained for multiple roles including charging, scouting, and acting as mounted infantry, not just for obsolete charges.

A significant error in the portrayal of cavalry is the omission of rifles, which were essential for their varied roles.

The unrealistic depiction of machine gun placement in a forest, with six machine guns behind three trees, is a historical inaccuracy.

In reality, machine guns were sparse during WWI, with about seven per 2 kilometers of front line, not concentrated as shown in the film.

Cavalry tactics in the face of machine gun fire would involve evasion and using terrain for cover, not mindless charging.

The use of smoke in no man's land by the French infantry to screen from enemy fire is an accurate portrayal.

The French officer leading the charge and the authentic uniforms, including the Adrian helmet, add to the scene's realism.

The importance of spacing out during an advance to avoid presenting an easy target for machine guns is well depicted.

The absence of light machine guns in the French infantry scene is a historical inaccuracy given the period.

Watches were crucial for synchronizing attacks with artillery bombardments, highlighting the importance of timing in warfare.

The pursuit of the retreating German lines by the British army and the temporary nature of the trenches are historically accurate.

The depiction of the parapet and parados in the trenches and the incorrect method of going over the top is pointed out.

The necessity of a creeping barrage for infantry advances and the lack of it in the scene is criticized.

The Brodie helmet's design to protect against shrapnel is explained, adding to the understanding of WWI headgear.

The portrayal of the Latvian Riflemen and their use of a Bangalore torpedo to clear barbed wire is accurate.

The use of snow camouflage and the challenges of winter warfare on the eastern front are well represented.

The naval battle scene is criticized for its lack of realism and historical inaccuracies regarding ship combat.

The sinking of the Friedrich Carl by a mine is mentioned, but the dramatic explosion depicted is deemed unrealistic.

Transcripts
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