20 Commonly Held Myths About WWI That Experts Have Debunked

World War I, or the Great War as it was known to those who lived through it, was undoubtedly one of history’s most brutal conflicts. But over the years a variety of so-called facts about the war have entered the public consciousness. All too many of these are downright false — wholly unsupported by the evidence. How long did soldiers spend in the trenches? What was the real story about the timing of when America joined the war? Wasn’t it only white men who fought? Read on to find out the truth...

20. Soldiers spent years in trenches

With good reason, we look back on the trench warfare of World War I with horror. Living conditions could barely be described as primitive. Men were crammed together in underground bunkers with little sanitation; they were often cold and frequently wet. Not to mention the fact that violent death was an ever-present threat. But although the war lasted for four years, no soldier spent that whole period in unbroken service on the front lines.

A system of rotation

Army commanders recognized that their men could only put up with the intolerable conditions in the front-line trenches for limited periods. And that’s why a system of rotation was introduced. For most of the time, a combat unit would spend no more than ten days in a month in the trenches, and less time than that right on the front line. At other times, they would be garrisoned in rear areas, enjoying essential respite from the most dangerous trenches.

19. America joined the war too late

It’s perhaps mostly British and French commentators that have accused the Americans of joining WWI too late to make any real difference to its outcome. But the assertion is not backed up by actual historical evidence. So said author Nick Lloyd, writing for the History Extra website. He contended that President Woodrow’s decision to lead his nation into war “was of enormous consequence.”

American troops were crucial

Despite its ostensible neutrality until 1917 America had already provided vital material support to the British and French. But once the U.S. joined the war, it was the massive numbers of troops committed to battle on the Western Front that tipped the balance against the Germans. By the end of the Great War, some 2 million Americans had served in Europe: about 50,000 of those lost their lives. Lloyd’s stark conclusion ran, “Without U.S. involvement the war may even have ended in a German victory, either in 1917 or 1918.”