Communication and transport

• How did railways affect the nature of WW1?

  Railways allowed for prolonged conflicts such as how vital they were in halting the Schlieffen Plan. The French used 4500+ trains in their initial mobilisation against the German advance (in which over 1 million Germans were transported via railway) which prevented a swift German victory. In the Race to the Sea over 800,000 Allied soldiers were moved by rail to prevent the enemy from being able to outflank them and ensuring the war would become more stagnated. In the Somme, around 60 trains per week kept the Allies supplied with essential resources.
• How did the internal combustion engine affect the nature of WW1?

  The internal combustion engine allowed greater mobility on the battlefield. In September 1914 the French used Parisian taxicabs to rush troops to stem the German advance at the Battle of Marne.
• How did field telephones affect the nature of WW1?

  The use of field telephones meant that generals could receive updates from battles as they unfolded and use them to make decisions. During the Battle of the Somme, Haig was able to position himself several miles away from the front. Field telephones also allowed artillery support to be requested quickly.