Aisne 1914: The Dawn of Trench Warfare

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The Battle of the Aisne in September 1914 marked a pivotal moment in World War I, showcasing the harsh realities of modern warfare for the British Expeditionary Force, who were unprepared for entrenched combat. Facing well-fortified German positions, British troops suffered heavy casualties due to ineffective assaults on exposed terrain, leading to a staggering 12,000 losses. This battle not only highlighted the inadequacies of Victorian military tactics but also initiated the trench warfare that would define the Western Front for years to come.