Weapons of the Great War Era of the Great War Weapons of the Great War

Weapons of the Great War In today’s class I am learning to: Describe different weapons used during the Great War Analyse the strengths and weaknesses of each weapon

Weapons of the Great War The Great War is famous for the range of weapons which were used to try and win the battle, some of which appeared for the first time in war.

Weapons of the Great War This presentation includes facts about: Machine guns Tanks Gas Artillery Aircraft Submarines

Weapons of the Great War Machine guns

Weapons of the Great War Machine guns could fire 400-600 bullets every minute, causing devastation and terror amongst the enemy as they approached. They were placed on a tripod and then four to six men were needed to operate the guns.

Weapons of the Great War Strengths Machine guns could kill large numbers of soldiers in a short period. Their quick firing nature meant that precise aim was not an essential part of firing, making them easy and deadly to use.

Weapons of the Great War Weaknesses Machine guns often overheated because of the speed at which they fired, stopping them being completely useful. They were also heavy and could not be easily moved around the battlefield.

Weapons of the Great War Tanks

Weapons of the Great War Tanks were first used during the Battle of the Somme in 1916. They were originally known as landships and the first one was nicknamed ‘Little Willie’. Tanks were armed with guns, as well as metal armour.

Weapons of the Great War Strengths Tanks could provide defensive cover for soldiers as they crossed No Man’s Land. Tanks were also used to destroy barbed wire, making it easier for soldiers to advance towards the enemy.

Weapons of the Great War Weaknesses Tanks were extremely slow (up to four miles per hour) and were easy targets for enemy fire. Tanks often got stuck in muddy fields, or their tracks could become removed from the body.

Weapons of the Great War Gas

Weapons of the Great War Different types of gases were used during the war, including chlorine, phosgene and mustard. These gases damaged lungs when inhaled, causing injury or even death. Gases could also causes blisters or led to internal bleeding.

Weapons of the Great War

Weapons of the Great War Strengths Gas was capable of disorientating or even killing enemy soldiers. With the development of gas filled shells it became easier to target enemy soldiers, without the gas hurting a side’s own soldiers.

Weapons of the Great War Weaknesses When gas was first used a change in wind could send it back towards a side’s own soldiers. Over the course of the war the development of gas masks made it easier to limit the effectiveness of gas attacks.

Weapons of the Great War Artillery

Weapons of the Great War Artillery was highly explosive shells that could be fired great distances at the enemy. Both sides used artillery to pound enemy defences or creeping barrages which were fired just in front of advancing soldiers.

Weapons of the Great War Arguably the most famous example of artillery was Big Bertha. This was a German super gun which could fire projectiles weighing up to 810 kilograms as much as six miles. There were 12 Big Berthas used during the war.

Weapons of the Great War Strengths Artillery was very difficult to defend against, and caused more casualties than any other weapon. It is estimated that up to 60% of Western Front soldier deaths were due to artillery.

Weapons of the Great War Weaknesses Creeping barrage attacks often caused deaths among a side’s own soldiers. As the soldiers advanced it was difficult to measure where to fire the artillery, causing casualties.

Weapons of the Great War Aircraft

Weapons of the Great War The Great War saw aircraft being used for the first time as a significant part of war tactics. Zeppelins (hot air balloons) and airplanes formed different parts of each side’s battle and preparation plans.

Weapons of the Great War Strengths Planes and zeppelins could be used to spy on enemy positions, helping battle plans. Planes later had guns added and zeppelins were used in bombing raids (such as in Edinburgh in 1916).

Weapons of the Great War Weaknesses Using planes to fight battles was a new development so the guns which were used were not always effective, including jamming. This limited the plane’s weaponry value.

Weapons of the Great War Submarines

Weapons of the Great War Submarines were underwater ships that could move without easy detection. They could fire torpedoes capable of sinking enemy ships. In September 1914, HMS Pathfinder became the first ship to be sunk by a German U-boat.

Weapons of the Great War Strengths Submarines were not easy to spot and so military and civilian ships feared them. The Germans used submarines to great effect to try and stop supplies from reaching Great Britain.

Weapons of the Great War Weaknesses Using submarines rather than engage in open battles was felt by some military people to be dishonourable. Germany sinking the Lusitania helped bring the USA into the war against Germany.