Dictionary of the First World War by Stephen Pope

Author:Stephen Pope
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781473813618
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Published: 2018-06-14T16:00:00+00:00

K

K-1 First of the very large, fast British SUBMARINES built in 1917–18 for operations with the GRAND FLEET. K-types never had the chance to prove themselves in fleet action, but K-1 was one of three lost to collisions in the North Sea, reinforcing the most obvious argument against their deployment in crowded battle zones.

BRIEF DATA (1917) Displacement: 1,883 tons; Crew: 50–60; Dimensions: length 338ft (102.5m), beam 26.5ft (8m); Speed: 25k (surface), 9k (submerged); Armament: 1 × 4in gun, 1 × 3in AA, 8 × 18in TT.

‘Kadaver’ Rumour A story spread by Anglo-French PROPAGANDA in April 1917 that the GERMAN ARMY was boiling down dead troops for their fats. It was based on a mistranslation of the word Kadaver, meaning ‘animal corpse’, in a German newspaper report on the use of dead horses. Released on the heels of widespread outrage at the German ‘scorched earth’ policy employed during Operation ALBERICH, the story retained widespread credibility in Allied countries throughout the period.

Kaiser The five Kaiser Class BATTLESHIPS (Kaiser, Friedrich der Große, Kaiserin, Prinz Regent Luitpold and König Albert) were the most modern in service with the GERMAN NAVY in August 1914, but never took part part in any serious fighting, though all but König Albert were at JUTLAND. Interned at Scapa Flow after the ARMISTICE, they were scuttled by their German crews in June 1919.

BRIEF DATA (Kaiser, 1914) Displacement: 24380 tons; Crew: 1,088; Dimensions: length 564ft (170.9m), beam 95.25ft (28.9m); Speed: 23k; Armament: 10 × 12in gun, 14 × 5.9in, 8 × 3.4in, 4 × 3.4in AA, 5 × 19.7in TT.

Kaiserschlacht German name (‘Kaiser’s Battle’) for the opening attack of the SPRING OFFENSIVES on the WESTERN FRONT in 1918. Begun on 21 March, it is also known as the Michael Offensive (after its operational code-name) or the Second Battle of the Somme.

The end of the war on the EASTERN FRONT in late 1917 gradually freed GERMAN ARMY strength for offensive operations elsewhere. Aware that internal stresses and war with the UNITED STATES condemned GERMANY to defeat in a prolonged war, and that all-out HANDELSKRIEG (‘trade warfare’) had failed to knock out GREAT BRITAIN, the German THIRD SUPREME COMMAND planned a decisive victory in France before large-scale US reinforcements could arrive. The BEF was seen as the main obstacle to victory, and LUDENDORFF planned the Somme operation, striking where British and FRENCH ARMY defensive zones met, as a means of separating the two forces.

On the Allied side, costly and unsuccessful offensives in 1917 had left commanders little option but to remain on the defensive while efforts were made to rebuild manpower and establish command unification (see SUPREME WAR COUNCIL). Though the mass transfer of German forces to France in early 1918 was noted, and an attack expected, it was generally believed that Germany could not field sufficient strength to achieve the breakthrough that had eluded the Allies.

German strength on the Western Front increased by 30 per cent between November 1917 and March 1918, by which time Allied manpower levels had dropped by a quarter since the summer.

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