What was the impact of new weapons on the First World War?

Learning objective – to be able to assess the importance of new weaponry developed during the First World War. I can describe some of ways new weapons were used during the First World War. Grade D I can explain the impact of the new weapons on the First World War. Grade B I can explain and evaluate the impact of the new weapons on the First World War. Grade A

Machine guns Artillery Gas Tanks Aircraft

How did machine guns develop during the First World War? Machine guns became more and more dependent upon the defence of trenches and strategic positions. For example, the Germans had 12,000 in 1914 and by ,000. Machine guns developed in a number of ways during the First World War – Machine guns could fire up to 600 bullets a minute. This meant any infantry charge could be cut down in moments. Become lighter and the development of sub-machine guns proved decisive in some actions in 1918.

How did attitudes change towards the machine gun? British commanders, such as Field Marshall, were often criticised for underestimating the impact and dangers presented by the machine gun. However, this criticism can be seen as unfair as – Ratio between men and machine guns was the same for both the Germans and the British. British army developed a Machine Gun Corps in British developed the sub-machine gun in developing its technology.

What was the impact of artillery bombardment? British commanders placed great faith in artillery bombardments. From the beginning of the war, artillery guns – from small-field guns to massive howitzers – were used to bombard the enemy from way behind their own lines. This has a number of consequences – They were not very accurate and often bombardments fell short and onto their own lines. Instead of destroying the enemy trenches and guns positions, more often artillery churned up the ground and make No Man’s Land impossible to cross.

How did artillery strategy change during the First World War? The Battle of the Somme and the shell crisis of 1916 caused a massive confidence crisis in the British war effort and from this point, British commanders were determined to improve upon this area of strategy. Drive on industrial standards saw the front line better supplied with guns and shells. Creeping barrage allowed for bombardments in stages just before the infantry advance. This protected the infantry and provided a dual, co- ordinated attack on the German lines. All this made the artillery a key weapon and the biggest killer of the First World War.

What was the impact of poison gas during the First World War? The first ever poison gas attack was made by the Germans in The main types of gas used were – Chlorine and phosgene gas which caused suffocation. Mustard gas which destroyed the lungs and blinded victims. As the war progressed, gas became less frequent as it was more effectively combatted with gas masks. Only 3,000 British soldiers were victims of gas attacks and its impact was mainly psychological.

What problems did tanks present during the First World War? The tank was a British invention. Many officers were sceptical about their use in battle seeing them as impractical and slow. After much lobbying by Winston Churchill, Admiral of the Fleet, tanks were built and first used during the Battle of the Somme. However, the early tanks were slow and moved at walking pace and all but two broke down before they reached the front.

How successful were tanks from 1917? The key confrontation for the use of the tank was in 1917 at the Battle of Cambrai. It was during this battle where tanks were decisive and broke the German front line. Indeed, they were too successful as the British infantry could not keep up and as a result could not capitalise upon the advantage given to them by the tank. By 1918, the Germans had developed an armour piercing machine gun bullet which could kill tank operators and this tempered the tank’s impact.

What were aircraft used for during the First World War? Aircraft and pilots were the glamourous fighters of the First World War which many young boys aspired to be part of. At the beginning of the First World War, aircraft was extremely primitive with very high losses. However, with aircraft developments many were used for reconnaissance and many valuable photographs were taken from airplanes giving both sides important intelligence.

To what extent were aircraft successful during the First World War? Fighting aircraft developed developed with both sides trying to stop the other taking photographs. At first hand guns were used but by 1915 a machine gun for the plane was developed and from this sleek planes were built, such as Sopwith Camel. During the First World War, the Royal Flying Corps was developed rising from 37 planes to having 23,000 planes by the end of the war. However, the plane remained a secondary weapon in comparison with the land war.

Main task You are the Head Curator of the Imperial War Museum and you have been given the brief to design an exhibition called ‘The New Weapons of the First World War’. The aim is to show which weapons had the biggest impact on the First World War. The problem is that the museum is short of space and that means that only one room is available for this exciting exhibition. The Planning Committee has asked you to come up with four weapons that changed the First World War and in your exhibition proposal you should include the following – A proposal of an artefact which represents each weapon. A short description of each weapon which could appear next to the respective exhibit which includes an explanation of its significance. A plan of the room which would include one weapon in the middle of the room highlighting the fact it was the most significant.

Plenary – a touch of Scrabble What are the three key words from this lesson that sums up your learning? Which word has the highest value if you used in a game of Scrabble? Compare with the person next to you. Which word has the highest value?