1. The Weapons of WWI

2. Where We Left Off
Over the course of the first 2 years of the war, the Germans had abandoned their original plan of invasion
Germans have invaded both N & S France
The French have given up a a large invasion of S Germany
At the end of 1916, a stagnant battle line has developed on the French-German border

3. Why New Weapons Were Needed
Cause a break in the other armies trenches
Keep people out of “no man’s land” (the area of land between two trenches)
Defend armies from new offensive weapons

4. The Flamethrower Flame Thrower
German translation of Kleineflammenwerfer
Backpack full of flammable liquid and hose connecting to flame
Used against dug in positions: machine gun nests, trenches
First used at Hooge against British
Cumbersome, limited firing range (20yds), and goes up easily with one shot

7. Poison Gas Gas first used by French (Bromine) - Tear gas
1915 at 2nd battle of Ypres – Germans introduce Chlorine gas
Chlorine eats away repertory organs

8. Poison Gases Cont’d Phosgene
Died from convulsions from coughing and choking
Time released, breathed in in large quantities and takes 48 hours to take effect
Cause logistic nightmares, because it clogged med.
Mustard Gas
Used against Russians caused blisters externally and internally, completely odorless
Poison Gases are deemed impractical b/c they are at the mercy of the wind

11. Gas Masks British develop the first gas mask after Ypres
Then, came thick cotton and a head band,
Developed by the French - Repertory device

17. Hand Grenade First, bombing parties
Waited percussion or time fuse (Homemade)
Jam pot
Hair brush (killed 1/5 of the man who used it)
Mills Bomb, (British) were taught classes to throw

20. The Tank Mark I introduced at Cambrai Developed by British
Used against trenches, thought to be ideal way of going over trench and clearing “No man’s Land”
Mark I introduced at Cambrai
- advanced 12 miles
Later models would be equipped w/ guns, both canon and machine gun

23. Exploding Artillery Shells
Shells filled with powder, impact explosion and then powder ignited.
Von Falkenhyn – wanted a war of attrition and a weapon that could produce the most amount of damage

24. Submachine Guns
Submachine Guns were portable, automatic weapons used by an individual soldiers when clearing opposing trenches
German MP18
snail drum
20 – 32 rounds in drum

25. Trench Mortars
Narrow, vertical, cylindrical tubes in which an explosive was placed and shot out of
Perfect delivery system for tight spaces of trenches

26. Air War - Planes Early ideas involved throws spears and using pistols
Then equipped with machine guns
Roland Garros
Perfect for scouting and delivering supplies

29. Air War Zepplin Observation balloons Used as bombers
Flown several hundred yards behind one’s own trenches and used to describe the opposing trenches