Glossary of war terms

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  • Created by: Alissa
  • Created on: 13-04-13 00:04
Allies
The British side in the Great War, which included Russia, France, Belgium, Italy, Portugal, USA (from 1917) and the British Empire.
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Artillary batteries
Big guns, including howitzers.
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Barrage
The co-ordinated firing of a large number of shells from concentrated artillary batteries. The barrage before the battle of the SOmme lasted for seven days and nights.
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Battalion
The infantryman's unit, comprising 1,0 men divided into four rifle companies. Each company was divided into three platoons which were further divided into three sections.
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Billet
Accomodation for troops. A 'cushy' billet was a comfortable or safe one - rare in WW1.
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Blighty
Nickname soldiers gave home, Britain.
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Brigade
Army formation consisting of four battalions.
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Cannon Fodder
A term used to describe how the infantry saw themselves. They were only there to 'feed' the enemy guns.
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Casualty clearing station
A medical unit outside the battle area, where sick and wounded men were given treatment before being sent either to base hospitals or back to blighty. A blighty ound was much prized.
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Censorship
Blacking out of letters or newspapers of information which may have been of use to the enemy.
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Central powers
Opponents of the allies - Germany, Austria-Hungry, Bulgaria and Turkey.
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Conscientious Objector
A person whose beliefs will not allow them to participate in military service. Many did join the army but in capacities that did not involve them bearing arms and fighting, e.g. stretcher-bearers and medics.
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Conscription
Compulsory military service introduced in Britain in March 1916. France and Germany had conscription in place for many years before the war.
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Digging-in
Digging trenches to act as protection from enemy fire.
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Diversion(ary)
An action designed to mislead the enemy.
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Division
The largest group to which a soldier might feel a sense of loyalty. It would consist of three brigades and other special units such as artillary batteries and Machine gun companies.
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Dressing station
Following immediate treatment at a company aid post, a casualty would be move back to a dressing station where his wounds woulf recieve basic treatment before being sent back to a CCS. A dressing station would be within range of the enemy guns.
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Dug-out
A hole cut in the side of a trenh which offered some shelter.
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Enlist
To join up for military service in the armed services.
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Entrenching tool
A small combination spade and pick-axe for digging trenches and latrines, also used in close quarter fighting within the confines of a trench.
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Epitaph
Words or phrases on a gravestone.
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Fodder
Food for animals, especially hay for the horses.
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Fritz
British nickname for the German's.
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Fusilier
Infantry soldier, rifleman.
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Machine gun company
Specialist unit comprising heavy vickers machine guns to support the infantry, used rather like tactical artillery.
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Memorabilla
Articles dating from the war, souvenirs and remains of equipment, photographs et.
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Mentioned in dispatches
The naming of an individual in official Battalion communications to give credit for an act of bravery.
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NCO
Non-commissioned officer - any soldier above the rank of private and below that of 2nd Lieutenant, who does not hold a commission.
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New army
The force of soldiers recruited from the civillian population by the minister of war lord Kitchener on the outbreak of war. He asked for 100,000 but actually got over one million.
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No Man's land
Area of ground between the two opposing forces.
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Observation balloon
Large inflatable balloons used to gain information about the enemy positions, movements and strengths. Highly vulnerable to enemy aircraft fire.
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Over the top
Emerging from the comparative safety of the trenches to cross no man's land and attack the enemy trenches. The phrase 'It's a walkover' comes from the optimism from the 1st day of the Somme.
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Pacifist
A person who believes that war should be avoided and abolished, for it cannot ve justified for any reasons.
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Pals battalions
Battalions made up of men from the same local areas, clubs and even jobs. Most pals batallions come from the North of England.
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Parapet
The front of the trench facing the enemy, protected by belts of barbed wire and sandbags. Below the parapet was a firing step allowing the soldier to fire his rifle during an attack.
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Parados
opposite to a parapet. A raised lip at the rear of a trench, preventing the soldier on the firing step being silhouetted and made an easy target.
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Poilu
Literally 'hairy one' - nickname given to the french soldiers.
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Regiment
A purely administrative organisation, Battalions from the same county would be part of a regiment.
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Regular
A pre-war professional soldier who made a career out of the armed services. the British army of 1914 was the most professional but also the smallest: by 1916 there were few of these men left.
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RFC
Royal flying corps - forerunner of the royal air force to 1918.
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Salient
A bulge of the line into enemy territory; particularly dangerous as it meant you could be fired upon from three sides: ypres is a classic example.
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Territorial
A part time volunteer soldier. Very high calibre in 1914, the TA went to France towards the end of 1914 to support the regular army and took on the bulk of the fighting throughout 1915 whilst the New army was being trained.
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Tommy
Nickname for the British soldier, based on the name 'Thomas Atkins', the example used in the soldiers paybook introduced in the time of the Duke of Wellington..
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Sap
A tunnel or trench to conceal assailants approach to a fortified place.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Artillary batteries

Back

Big guns, including howitzers.

Card 3

Front

Barrage

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

Battalion

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

Billet

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
View more cards

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