The Weapons of WWI

Where We Left Off Over the course of the first 2 years of the war, the Germans had abandoned their original plan of invasion Germans have invaded both N & S France The French have given up a a large invasion of S Germany At the end of 1916, a stagnant battle line has developed on the French-German border

Why New Weapons Were Needed Cause a break in the other armies trenches Keep people out of “no man’s land” (the area of land between two trenches) Defend armies from new offensive weapons

The Flamethrower Flame Thrower German translation of Kleineflammenwerfer Backpack full of flammable liquid and hose connecting to flame Used against dug in positions: machine gun nests, trenches First used at Hooge against British Cumbersome, limited firing range (20yds), and goes up easily with one shot

Poison Gas Gas first used by French (Bromine) - Tear gas 1915 at 2nd battle of Ypres – Germans introduce Chlorine gas Chlorine eats away repertory organs

Poison Gases Cont’d Phosgene Died from convulsions from coughing and choking Time released, breathed in in large quantities and takes 48 hours to take effect Cause logistic nightmares, because it clogged med. Mustard Gas Used against Russians caused blisters externally and internally, completely odorless Poison Gases are deemed impractical b/c they are at the mercy of the wind

Gas Masks British develop the first gas mask after Ypres Then, came thick cotton and a head band, Developed by the French - Repertory device

Hand Grenade First, bombing parties Waited percussion or time fuse (Homemade) Jam pot Hair brush (killed 1/5 of the man who used it) Mills Bomb, (British) were taught classes to throw

The Tank Mark I introduced at Cambrai Developed by British Used against trenches, thought to be ideal way of going over trench and clearing “No man’s Land” Mark I introduced at Cambrai - advanced 12 miles Later models would be equipped w/ guns, both canon and machine gun

Exploding Artillery Shells Shells filled with powder, impact explosion and then powder ignited. Von Falkenhyn – wanted a war of attrition and a weapon that could produce the most amount of damage

Submachine Guns Submachine Guns were portable, automatic weapons used by an individual soldiers when clearing opposing trenches German MP18 snail drum 20 – 32 rounds in drum

Trench Mortars Narrow, vertical, cylindrical tubes in which an explosive was placed and shot out of Perfect delivery system for tight spaces of trenches

Air War - Planes Early ideas involved throws spears and using pistols Then equipped with machine guns Roland Garros Perfect for scouting and delivering supplies

Air War Zepplin Observation balloons Used as bombers Flown several hundred yards behind one’s own trenches and used to describe the opposing trenches