World War I Weapons of War http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeJkpsOqQgc

World War One Weapons- New Technology New weapons revolutionized combat in World War One. Combat morphed from a rapid and relatively noble thing to a new model: trench warfare. This new style of warfare was brought about principally by new technology that arose from the furnaces and factories of industrial Europe.

Trench Warfare During WWI, soldiers on both sides fought from trenches that were usually 6-8 feet deep and 5 feet wide. Soldiers spent weeks in the muddy, rat infested holes in the ground.

A Short War? “You will be home before the leaves have fallen from the trees.” - German Kaiser Europeans on both sides of the conflict thought the war would end soon. They were mistaken. The war dragged on for four blood-soaked years from 1914-1918.

Trench Fighting = Casualties and Stalemates The nature of trench warfare resulted in stalemates across the war, most of which were long and deadly. The Battle of Verdun lasted for 10 months in 1916. The Germans lost some 400,000 men trying to overrun French lines. The French lost even more lives defending their positions.

Weapons Machine Guns Communication Principally, the weaponry can be divided in 8 types: Machine Guns Communication Artillery Tanks Gas Planes Transportation Naval Units

Machine Guns These weapons were first used in the American Civil War to devastating effect. But with World War One their effectiveness reached frightening new levels. Firing up to 600 bullets a minute (the equivalent of 250 men with rifles), Machine Guns were then deemed to be weapons of mass destruction.

“The Vickers” The Vickers MK1 belt-fed machine gun, a favorite of the British military, played a crucial role in World War I and World War II. The gun is cooled with a special water-filled jacket. As the water boils, the steam flows out to a collection can, where it condenses back into a liquid for re-use.

Artillery These were the new and upgraded versions of cannons. Never in the history of man were there so many cannons used in one war alone. For four years the British had been using artillery and firing 170 million shells in that time. But Germany had a plan up their sleeve. For years, German scientists were developing the biggest artillery ever known. It was called the ‘Big Bertha’. Big Bertha was so powerful it could fire at the heart of Paris from 120 kilometers away.

“Firepower” The cannons weren’t the only things that had been improved. The shells were upgraded as well. Instead of ordinary shells, new High-explosive shells were developed. The Shells were thin casings and were filled with tiny lead pellets. This was so effective, that artillery fire killed hundreds and thousands of men. It also blew the ground, which made hiding much more difficult.

Poison Gas Gas was one of the most feared weapons of WWI. Different kinds of gas caused choking, blindness, or severe skin blisters. Soldiers wore gas masks for protection against the fumes.

Poison Gas Considered uncivilized prior to World War One, the development and use of poison gas was necessitated by the requirement of wartime armies to find new ways of overcoming the stalemate of unexpected trench warfare.

More Poison Gas The German army was the first to use chlorine gas at the battle of Ypres in 1915. Chlorine gas causes a burning sensation in the throat and chest pains. Death is painful - you suffocate! The problem with chlorine gas is that the weather must be right. If the wind is in the wrong direction it could end up killing your own troops rather than the enemy.

And Even More Poison Gas  Mustard gas was the most deadly weapon used. It was fired into the trenches in shells. It is colorless and takes 12 hours to take effect. Effects include: blistering skin, vomiting, sore eyes, internal and external bleeding. Death can take up to 5 weeks.

Transportation Transportation greatly increased, as more troops were needed at battlefields and other places. The armies fighting used everything from trains to trucks and everything in between.

Communication In 1914 both radios and telephones were the main ways of communication. These were very vital for the troops in trenches. However, that did not mean that messengers, dogs, and pigeons were out of business.

Yes, dogs and pigeons

Tanks Tanks were used for the first time in the First World War at the Battle of the Somme. They were developed to cope with the conditions on the Western Front. The first tank was called 'Little Willie' and needed a crew of 3. Its maximum speed was 3mph and it could not cross trenches.

Tanks The more modern tank was not developed until just before the end of the war. It could carry 10 men, had a revolving turret, and could reach 4mph.

Planes Planes were also used for the first time. At first they were used to deliver bombs and for spying work, but became fighter aircraft armed with machine guns, bombs, and sometimes cannons. Fights between two planes in the sky became known as 'dogfights’.  

“The Red Baron” Manfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen (2 May 1892 – 21 April 1918) was a German fighter pilot known as "The Red Baron". He was the most successful flying ace of World War I, being officially credited with 80 confirmed air combat victories.

Naval Units Naval ships were counted very important for some of the war. British specialized in Ships such as battleships, and the Germans specialized in Submarines.

The Cost of War The costs of the war were staggering. A generation of young Europeans lost their lives. Between 8 and 9 million died in battle- more than had died in all the wars fought during the previous 100 years.

The Cost of War Almost 4 million Russian, French, and British soldiers were killed. Germany lost close to 2 million men. The US lost over 100,000 men. Many more died of diseases, and more than 20 million on both sides were wounded.

Aftermath of War No one knows how many civilians died of disease, starvation, and other war related causes. Some believe as many civilians died as soldiers. Much of northern France lay in ruins. Millions of Germans were near starvation. In France and other nations, many children were left orphaned and homeless.