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TECHNOLOGY OF �WORLD WAR 1

Ms. Fishel

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Technology of World War One

  • Technology = CRITICAL to WWI�
  • clash of 20th century technology and 19th century fighting styles

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Technology of World War One

  • Machine Guns
  • Artillery
  • Grenades
  • Communications
  • Transportation
  • Tanks & Armor
  • Aircraft
  • Chemical Warfare
  • U-Boats
  • Convoy system
  • Barbed Wire

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TRENCH WARFARE

  • Description/Use: Trenches, often reinforced with wood, with larger underground bunkers dug in sides for more protection
    • more improved trenches with connecting trenches
    • Strategy used because of machine guns & artillery

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  • Impact: Many weapons and tactics were created to overcome the defensive nature of trenches

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MACHINE GUN

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MACHINE GUN

  • Description:�Rapid fire weapon (400-800 rounds/minute) �typically crewed by several men

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  • Use:�Used against large groups of soldiers

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  • Impact:�Possibly the most influential weapon of the war�Contributed to stalemate�No longer would massed infantry be the most effective

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ARTILLERY

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ARTILLERY

  • Description/Use: Large caliber weapon capable of direct or indirect fire

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  • Impact: artillery barrage to soften up targets
    • Huge guns to destroy fortresses in Belgium – railway guns
    • Extreme long range attacks

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Artillery

Paris Gun

Typical German Artillery piece

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GRENADES

  • Description/Use: small, explosive device thrown or projected to cause burst and shrapnel damage to enemy
    • Percussion (contact) or timed fuse

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Impact: well-suited for trench warfare (indirect throw) – response to trench warfare

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Grenades

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AIRCRAFT

  • Description/Use: 100 mph. Constructed of canvas stretched over wooden frame
    • Single pilot fighter to several men in a bomber
    • Typically armed with machine guns
    • Initially used for observation, later fighters and bombers

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Sopwith Camel

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Fokker Dr1 Triplane�Red Baron’s Plane

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Bombers and Zeppelins

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SUBMARINES

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SUBMARINES

  • GERMAN ITEM �
  • Use: attack allied shipping, primarily through use of deck guns NOT torpedoes�
  • Impact: Very effective against shipping,�Use of convoy system, depth charges (under water bombs) �

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CONVOY SYSTEM

  • Description/Use:
    • Using armed ships such as destroyers and armed merchant vessels to protect unarmed transport ships from submarines
    • A tactic not a technology

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TANKS & ARMOR

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TANKS & ARMOR

  • Description/Use: tracked, armored vehicle armed with machine guns and/or cannons.
    • Used to assault trenches, destroy barbed wire obstacles, machine gun nests
    • 3-8mph
  • Impact: somewhat effective depending on use; infantry support, combined arms
    • Mechanical breakdowns, lack of speed

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German Tank

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Armored Car

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BARBED WIRE

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Barbed Wire

  • Description/Use: sharp twisted strands of wire – not designed to kill
    • Often used in conjunction with machine guns and trenches
    • Create barriers while allowing bullets to go through�
  • Impact: critical to trench defense

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COMMUNICATIONS

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Communications

Description/Use: New methods include telephones and wireless (radio)

Impact: Would allow for swift communications for better control by command elements

    • Key for Command and Control
    • Used for Artillery Spotting
    • Need for codes and ciphers (Russians sent radio signals “in the clear” – allowed for Germans to know their plans
    • Runners, carrier pigeons still used throughout war

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Transportation

  • Description/Use : Use of motorized vehicles and railroads to transport supplies and men.
  • Impact: Railroads were a critical element for mobilization and transport of ultra-heavy artillery
  • Evolution: As war progressed more trucking. In WW2 this would be standard.

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CHEMICAL WARFARE

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Chemical Warfare

  • Description/Use: Chemical gas used to stop the enemy or kill enemy. An attempt to find a breakthrough weapon to end stalemate
    • Mustard, chlorine, and “tear gas”
    • Horrible wounds and death
    • Initially just “sprayed”
    • Hard to control�
  • Impact: Troops had to wear masks making fighting difficult
    • Masks often ineffective

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Trench Foot

  • Affected feet become numb and then turn red or blue. As the condition worsens, they may swell. Advanced immersion foot often involves blisters and open sores, which lead to fungal infections; this is sometimes called tropical ulcer (jungle rot).
  • If left untreated, immersion foot usually results in gangrene, which can require amputation. If immersion foot is treated properly, complete recovery is normal, though it is marked by severe short-term pain when feeling returns. Like other cold injuries, immersion foot leaves sufferers more susceptible to it in the future.

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