Most popular images of World War I show soldiers in muddy trenches and dugouts, living miserably until the next attack. Technological developments in engineering, chemistry, and optics had produced weapons deadlier than anything before. The power of defensive weapons made winning the war on the western front all but impossible for either side.
Airplanes, products of the new technology, were primarily made of canvas, wood, and wire. At first they were used only to observe enemy troops. As their effectiveness became apparent, both sides shot planes down with artillery from the ground and with rifles, pistols, and machine guns from other planes.
Back on the ground, the tank proved to be the answer to stalemate in the trenches. This British inventions used American-designed caterpillar tracks to move the armored vehicle equipped with machine guns and sometimes light cannon. Tanks worked effectively on firm, dry ground, in spite of their slow speed, mechanical problems, and vulnerability to artillery. Able to crush barbed wire and cross trenches, tanks moved forward through machine gun fire and often terrified German soldiers with their unstoppable approach. …show more content…
At first, gas was just released from large cylinders and carried by the wind into nearby enemy lines. Late, phosgene and other gasses were loaded into artillery shells and shot into enemy trenches. The Germans used this weapon the most, realizing that enemy soldiers wearing gas masks did not fight as well. All sides used gas frequently by 1918. Its use was a frightening development that caused its victims a great deal of suffering, if not death. Both sides used a variety of big guns on the western front, including huge naval guns mounted on railroad
Airplanes, products of the new technology, were primarily made of canvas, wood, and wire. At first they were used only to observe enemy troops. As their effectiveness became apparent, both sides shot planes down with artillery from the ground and with rifles, pistols, and machine guns from other planes.
Back on the ground, the tank proved to be the answer to stalemate in the trenches. This British inventions used American-designed caterpillar tracks to move the armored vehicle equipped with machine guns and sometimes light cannon. Tanks worked effectively on firm, dry ground, in spite of their slow speed, mechanical problems, and vulnerability to artillery. Able to crush barbed wire and cross trenches, tanks moved forward through machine gun fire and often terrified German soldiers with their unstoppable approach. …show more content…
At first, gas was just released from large cylinders and carried by the wind into nearby enemy lines. Late, phosgene and other gasses were loaded into artillery shells and shot into enemy trenches. The Germans used this weapon the most, realizing that enemy soldiers wearing gas masks did not fight as well. All sides used gas frequently by 1918. Its use was a frightening development that caused its victims a great deal of suffering, if not death. Both sides used a variety of big guns on the western front, including huge naval guns mounted on railroad