There were many new weapons developed and used during World War One. Armies needed to be able to defeat their enemies and used some of the most advanced combat technology available today. Armed forces sought to win the battle by using these new weapons. Many battles were decided by recent, deadly developments in war like machine guns, tanks and gases. Machine guns were deadly due to their ability to do severe damage in a short time. The gases and tanks had a psychological effect on soldiers and their unfamiliarity. The tanks could cause massive damage. These weapons played a significant role in the severity of WW1’s Western Front campaign.
The new weapons are more effective than other weapons because they make it easier to use them. Machine guns were able to reduce the use of regular rifles during battles because they are more efficient. Because they could fire 400 rounds per minute, it was possible to eliminate the need for running attacks. This allowed them to take out large numbers of enemy in very short time periods. Prior to the introduction of machine guns in 1944, soldiers could only fire 15 rounds a minute. Modern technology is far more advanced than weapons of the past. Enemy troops were also distracted by machine guns. Machine gun shooters were quick to take down enemy forces while other soldiers could ambush the enemy lines. The Germans used this strategy in the battle for Verdun against France. Machine guns could fire seven rounds per second and have a range of two kilometers. In an effort to match the new developments, all countries changed their tactics and weaponry. 75% were killed by artillery, which was why Winter D, 1978 showed the extreme effects of high-powered guns in WWI.
WW1 is commonly referred to by many as the first war fought without chemical weapons. This was because armies were faced with unfamiliar forces from enemies ranks. Gases were useful because they were unfamiliar to nearly all soldiers at the time. Gas masks were introduced to the battlefield as a response. This significantly reduced their impact. While the physical effects of gasses were minimal, they had a profound psychological impact on soldiers. They were afraid of it because they did not know at what times they were being gassed. There were many gasses available, including bromine, mustard gas and chlorine. The eyes, nose, and airways are affected by chlorine. In extreme doses, chlorine causes asphyxiation. Mustard gases kills by burning the throat and closing the lungs. Mustard gas’s effects were not visible for 24 hours after its hurling. Bromine is toxic and can cause tissue damage, as well as permanent blindness. Phosgene causes fluid build-up within the lungs. Phosgene was the cause of 85% of gas-related deaths during WWI. Each of these gases had a different cause.
For defense against machine gun fire, soldiers constructed trenches. Armies needed powerful weapons to break through and clear trenches. This problem was solved by the tank. Tanks are heavy armored battle vehicles that move along tracks. The first tank was constructed in 1916. Designs improved over time. The tank’s ability to eliminate enemy defenses such as trench strategies and barbed wire eventually made it a crucial component of victory on the battlefields. Their ability to travel over different surfaces made them very useful during the battle for Somme. Tank technology was not yet very advanced at this time. During battle tanks fell apart and became inoperable. Even so, only about a third were able to breach the French defenses. Later on, tanks were an essential part of basic combat tactics.
As can be seen, all these weapons have a significant impact upon World War One. But each one has its own unique reasons. The machine guns are notable for their innovation and efficiency, while the gases have a psychological impact and the tanks their enormous power and force. Although many weapons were significant in WW1, three weapons stood out as the most important to revolutionize how armies fight wars.
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