‘Over the Top’Lesson starter1. Write a short description of what a

soldier would see standing inside a WWI trench.

Today we will learn about going ‘over the

top’

Today we will…

• Understand what was meant by going ‘over the top’

• Understand the meaning of a ‘breakthrough’

• After days or weeks of little activity, Generals would order soldiers to go ‘over the top’

• Soldiers were literally sent out of the trench to charge at the enemy trench

• Hours of bombardment by artillery would come before going ‘over the top’

• Generals hoped a breakthrough would finally come

• Going ‘over the top’ was rarely successful as soldiers were mowed down by machine gun fire

• The order would come to retreat and soldiers would try to get back to their own trench alive

Did a breakthrough come?

Task 1Generals hoped to achieve a ______ through

sending soldiers ________. For hours before they would ______ the enemy trench Many were killed by machine gun fire and waited

for the order to ________. The tactic was unsuccessful and _________ continued on

The Western Front.

STALEMATEBREAKTHROUGH BOMBARD

RETREAT OVER THE TOP

Task Two

• You will watch All Quiet on The Western Front, a film about life in the trenches

• The opening scenes show one of the best depictions of trench life and going ‘over the top’

• You will have a question sheet to fill in as you watch.

Attitude Question• Source A was written by John Clark, a

British citizen at the outbreak of WW1.

Everyone in Britain was excited at the outbreak of war. I was one of the first to join up and did so with my old school mates. I was optimistic about the war and couldn’t wait to fight the Germans. I thought the war would be over quickly.

What was the attitude of John Clark to the outbreak of WW1? 3

What was the attitude of John Clark to the outbreak of WW1? 3

How Fully Question• Source A was written by John Clark, a

British citizen at the outbreak of WW1.

Everyone in Britain was excited at the outbreak of war. I was one of the first to join up and did so with my old school mates. I was optimistic about the war and couldn’t wait to fight the Germans. I thought the war would be over quickly.

How fully does Source A describe the British public’s reaction to the outbreak of war in 1914?

4

How Useful Question• Source A was written by John Clark, a

British citizen at the outbreak of WW1.

Everyone in Britain was excited at the outbreak of war. I was one of the first to join up and did so with my old school mates. I was optimistic about the war and couldn’t wait to fight the Germans. I thought the war would be over quickly.

How useful is Source A as evidence of the British public’s reaction to the outbreak of war in 1914?

4

How useful is Source A as evidence of the British public’s reaction to the outbreak of war in 1914?

4

How useful questions – THE HAND

WHO?

WHAT?

WHEN?

WHY?

HOWEVER?

WHO?

• Is the person writing the source well informed/ an expert?

• Is he/she an eyewitness?

WHAT?

• What information is in the source?

• What does the source tell us that helps answer the question?

WHEN?

• Look at the date above the source.

• When was the source written – at the time of the event?

WHY?

• Why is this person writing this source?

• What does he/she want us to know about?

HOWEVER…

• What is missing from the source?

• Is it biased?• You must use your

own recall here