It's been a while coming, but here is another quick look at some 'firsts' to come out of the First World War. This time we take a quick look at five different weapons that enjoyed their operational debut during the First World War.
So, in no particular order...
Poison gas: The first use of poison gas in warfare occurred on 22nd April, 1915, when the German army released chlorine gas during the Second Battle of Ypres. Poison gas was used as a weapon of terror and to break the stalemate of trench warfare. It was a devastating weapon that caused severe respiratory problems and death. The use of poison gas had a major impact on the war, as it caused widespread fear among front line troops and also led to the development of other new pieces of equipment such gas masks and other protective equipment.
Tanks: The first tanks were introduced by the British on 15th September, 1916, during the Battle of the Somme. Tanks were designed to break through enemy lines and provide cover for infantry, but later as they became more reliable and tactics started evolve, they became more independent and were used for a variety of roles, including reconnaissance and direct combat.
Aircraft: The first aircraft were used for reconnaissance and observation during the First World War, but their role expanded to include bombing and dogfighting (air to air combat). The development of aircraft during the war allowed for the strategic bombing of enemy targets and provided a whole new dimension to warfare.
Machine guns: Machine guns were widely used during the First World War and were widely seen as kings of the battlefield. They were capable of firing hundreds of rounds per minute and were used to defend trenches and attack enemy positions. Although it is impossible to calculate, it is estimated that the number of machine gun bullets expended during the war reached into the billions - cue dodgy impersonation of Dr Evil - no wonder this machine was responsible for such high casualty rates.
Submarines: The role of the submarine during the First World War is often overlooked - possibly due to the huge emphasis give to trench warfare, but Submarines were first used in warfare during this war, quicky proving themselves to be a highly effective weapon that allowed navies to attack enemy ships with minimal risk of detection. Unfortunately incomplete records make it very difficult to track the actual number of ships lost to submarines, however it is estimated that around 5,000 Allied ships were sunk by submarines during the war, with the majority of these being sunk by German U-boats.
Comentarios