WWI: Weapons & New Technology Lesson starter Use the pictures to identify some of the key weapons used on the Western Front in the First World War.

Weapons Lesson starter: Describe the machine gun as a weapon. How useful a weapon was the Grenade?

Weapons & New Technology WWI Lesson starter: What evidence of new technology can you spot in this photo?

We are learning to… Identify some of the weaponry used on the Western Front Describe the use of each

I can… Create a mind map on the technology of war Answer an N5 level question on new technology

Start a mind map with the title ‘World War I Weapons’ As we move through the slides, add on information about each weapon you hear about

Background… Before 1914, armies had relied on cavalry to win wars Machine guns and barbed wire in WWI meant new technology was essential…

Lee Enfield Rifle Each British soldier had one of these The clip held 6 bullets and you had to pull the bolt back each time you fired. Professional soldiers could shoot 15 rounds per min but a new recruit, 8 per min

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tznEcq_r4KA

Grenades (Mills Bomb) Small explosives, hand thrown Remove safety pin, four second fuse When detonated it split into tiny fragments. Used against unprotected soldiers would not damage tanks.

The German stick grenade had no fuse, giving it’s target no time to take cover

Artillery WWI the war of ‘big guns’ These were needed for bombarding trenches ‘howitzers’ Could fire 900kg shells over 18km Shrapnel killed more soldiers than any other weapon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvDa7gjtNmw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPfZ84RB2AA

Vickers Machine Gun Excellent defensive weapon Not a mobile weapon as very heavy Required a crew of 4 600 bullets per minute or 10 bullets per second! Second biggest killer of infantry.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B06izR0HWyc

Gas First used by Germans in 1915 Came in a cylinder gas would be released in No Man’s Land Main types – Phosgene, Chlorine and most feared Mustard Gas. Relied on correct wind otherwise could be disastrous if blew back at own troops Gas masks developed in 1916 ended the effectiveness of gas.

Releasing poison gas from trenches

Gas Masks Gas masks were first used in 1916 The Small Box respirator was issued to British soldiers in April, just before the Battle of the Somme This saved many lives and reduced the effectiveness of gas as a weapon

Phosgene – invisible, destroyed lungs Three Types Chlorine – greeny yellow, caused choking and fatal lung damage Phosgene – invisible, destroyed lungs Mustard – blistered skin, blindness, internal bleeding

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHJIbKnzVnc

Tank First used at the Somme 1916 Terrifying for enemy Armed with heavy guns or machine guns Early tanks were unreliable and often broke down Slow top speed 4 MPH, slower over No Man’s Land They often got stuck in the mud

French Tank

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezBSURCMe-o

Aeroplanes Planes were used for the first time in WWI At first they were used only for surveillance, or spying on the enemy Later fighter aircraft were armed with machine guns and bombs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbVZGLI8izk

Flamethrowers These were used by the Germans on the British in Flanders in 1915 Soldiers using these wore a gas cylinder attached to their back They were useful at clearing a path before an attack or for using on tanks Mainly used by Germans

Weapons – Home Front (not used in trenches)

Submarines/ Torpedoes These were used regularly in naval battles in the North Sea German U-Boats and torpedoes were used to sink ships heading to Britain with food The Germans torpedoes The Lusitania in 1917, causing the USA to join the war

Zeppelins These dropped explosives from the air They caused major panic and alarm A zeppelin attack on Edinburgh on April 1916 killed 13 people

Weird Weapons https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCbrcKqgFlY

N5 Question (2013, 2014) Describe the Use of new technology in the First World War. 6 marks Focus on; Machine gun Gas Gas masks Tank Aeroplanes