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Significance and Losses
The Neuve-Chapelle offensive demonstrated that although the Industrial Revolution
had brought advances in weaponry, the nascent communication tools of telegraphy
and telephony were easily attacked and disrupted. The historical practice of
running a battle from behind the lines broke down at Neuve Chapelle |
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where front-line officers, who had lost communications with the rear
were unable to press their advantage.
About 40,000 Allied troops took part in the battle. The British lost 544 officers
and 11,108 other soliders. The Germans lost 12,000 men, 1687 were taken prisoner.
100 Canadians died at Neuve-Chapelle. 2 kilometres of ground were gained, or
about one metre for every dozen dead. |
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German
wire
Industrial
advances like barbed wire, which slowed soldiers crossing the "No Man's
Land" between trenches were extremely effective. But, the Battle of Neuve-Chapelle
showed that other inventions like telegraphy and telephony were prone to easy
damage and tampering. |
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