Weapons of World War I – Part One How did new weapons affect the war?

#1 The Machine Gun Invented by Hiram Maxim Fired ammunition automatically Often used in trench warfare Advantage: Takes out waves of attackers; hard for troops to advance Disadvantage: Main reason for bloody stalemates; and huge loss of life

# 2 The Tank Developed by the British Armored combat vehicle Unsuccessful at first Advantage: major firepower; several machine guns; sometimes cannons; hard to disable Disadvantage: Very slow, hot, cramped First successful tank offensive: Cambrai 1917 1000 Holt Tractors used by British by 1916 1902 French Armored Car

#3 The U-Boat (Submarine) Unterseeboot Germans (1850); Deisel engine by 1912 Used an underwater misslle – the torpedo Advantage: Very hard to see or detect Disadvantage: Cramped conditions and leaks Unrestricted Sub Warfare

#4 Aviation – Airplanes Dropped bombs or shot at targets Good for spying Interrupter Dog fights Advantage: Quick and agile Disadvantage: Little room and flimsy

The Red Baron – Germany’s Flying Ace

#5 Aviation –Zepplins “Death from Above” Developed by Germans Blimps Used to drop bombs Advantage: Could carry more bombs, men, equipment and size was intimidating Disadvantage: Not as fast or agile and a big target