History of Warfare Summary 9 - World War I 9 The War of 1915 and Trench Warfare

In 1915, fierce trench warfare continued on the Western Front between Germany and the Allied Powers. Machine guns, heavy artillery, and barbed wire significantly increased defensive capabilities, forcing attacking forces to endure massive casualties during advances. Germany attempted to break through the Western Front while also pressuring Russian forces on the Eastern Front. In the same year, Italy joined the Allied Powers, citing territorial disputes with Austria-Hungary. The Italian army engaged in several battles against the Austro-Hungarian army in the Alps and along the Isonzo River. However, the rugged terrain and strong defensive lines made significant progress difficult. As the war dragged on, nations began to fully mobilize their economies and industries for the war effort, and civilians suffered from food shortages and resource rationing. The war was no longer just a conflict between soldiers on the front lines but was evolving into a total war, mobilizing the entire nation's production capacity and resources. The battles of 1915 clearly demonstrated that the war was settling into a prolonged conflict.