The two large alliances that took shape before the beginning of World War I (WWI) were Germany and her allies, and Britain and France and their allies. Great Britan and her allies were known as the Entente Powers, while Germany and her allies were known as the Central Powers. Germany and her allies consisted of Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy. Italy changed sides at some stage and joined the allies. Britain, France and her allies and consisted of Great Britain, Ireland, Russia, Japan and Portugal. Russia possessed the largest number of armed forces of all of the European allies.