KILLING MACHINES- WWI
RIFLES IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES
In the late 19th century, single-shot, bigger-bore was in an extensive research.
The major powers introduced models that had small-bore, bolt-action, and capable of firing multiple rounds. Pistols and rifles were easier to carry and to fire while on the battlefield.
"Every dollar spent on nuclear is one less dollar spent on clean renewable energy and one more dollar spent on making the world a comparatively dirtier and a more dangerous place, because nuclear power and nuclear weapons go hand in hand." -Mark Z. Jacobson
The major powers introduced models that had small-bore, bolt-action, and capable of firing multiple rounds. Pistols and rifles were easier to carry and to fire while on the battlefield.
"Every dollar spent on nuclear is one less dollar spent on clean renewable energy and one more dollar spent on making the world a comparatively dirtier and a more dangerous place, because nuclear power and nuclear weapons go hand in hand." -Mark Z. Jacobson
British Lee-Enfield- First produced in 1907, designed by James Lee. The rifle was issued to all British soldiers on the Western Front. Not like the Mauser, the Lee-Enfield was very suitable for rapid fire. Lee-Enfield was so reliable and sturdy that it was also used in WWII.
French Lebel- Produced in 1886. The one flaw the French Lebel carried was the slow loading since the operator had to watch out for one round hitting the primer of the cartridge in the front, which could cause an explosion. Even though a better model was introduced, the French Lebel was continued to be issued.
French Berthier- Two years into the war, the French Berthier was introduced as an improvement of the Lebel. The French Berthier was a clip load like the Lee-Enfield. Nevertheless, its magazine held only three rounds. An upgraded version was increased to five rounds.
U.S Springfield- the Springfield was the standard wartime rifle in the U.S. army. It was reliable and was in a short-barreled version to the American Expeditionary Force. However, half of the U.S. soldiers were using the M1917 ‘American Enfield’.
Austro-Hungarian Steyr-Mannlicher- Produced in Budapest and Austria, in 1895. The model was considered a strong design and was called a torture test, firing 50,000 rounds through a single rifle. This rifle was also used in Italy.
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British Lee-Enfield
French Lebel
French Berthier
Springfield
Steryr-Mannlicher
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http://www.firstworldwar.com/weaponry/rifles.htm
BARB WIRE
MACHINE GUNS
Machine guns were invented in 1884 by Sir Hiram Maxim.
Machine guns in 1914 was usually positioned on a flat tripod, required a gun crew 4~6 operators. Machine guns could fire around 400-600 small-caliber rounds per minute and the rounds doubled by the end of the war. But with the rapid fire, the machine guns overheated and became inoperative without cooling it down. To cool it down, the operator used water jackets or air vents that was built into the machine gun later on in the war. Whether air or water cooled, the machine guns still overheated constantly especially if operated by an inexperienced operator. |
POISON GAS
Even though many people believe that poison gas was first used by the Germans, it was initially first used by the French. Tear gas grenades were used in the first month of the war against the Germans. This led to German armies giving a serious study to develop chemical weapons. Chlorine gas was first used in the second battle of Ypres.
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TEAR GAS- Tear gas was first used in 1914 by the French against the German Army. Tear gases are known as lachrymatory agents. They irritate the eyes, mouth, throat, and lungs which can lead to crying, laughing, difficulties in breathing and blindness. Tear gas wasn't used to kill the symptoms were gone around 40 minutes.
CHLORINE- Chlorine gas was first used in 1915 by the German forces. Chlorine reacts with the water in the lungs forming a hydrochloric acid which leads to coughing, vomiting, and eye irritation. If the concentration was 1,000 parts per million, can lead to death.
PHOSGENE- Phosgene was first used in 1915 by the Germans (again), against the British in the battle of Ypres. Phosgene caused suffocation. 48 hours of the pain which leads to death.
MUSTARD GAS- Mustard Gas was first used in 1917. Mustard gas caused chemical burns on contact. The mortality rate was low but the effects were horrible.
CHLORINE- Chlorine gas was first used in 1915 by the German forces. Chlorine reacts with the water in the lungs forming a hydrochloric acid which leads to coughing, vomiting, and eye irritation. If the concentration was 1,000 parts per million, can lead to death.
PHOSGENE- Phosgene was first used in 1915 by the Germans (again), against the British in the battle of Ypres. Phosgene caused suffocation. 48 hours of the pain which leads to death.
MUSTARD GAS- Mustard Gas was first used in 1917. Mustard gas caused chemical burns on contact. The mortality rate was low but the effects were horrible.
TRACER BULLETS
Tracer bullets are rounds which emitted small amounts of flammable material that left a phosphorescent trail. The first attempt in 1915 was not that useful, but the second tracer model made in 1916 was very successful. Tracer rounds were mainly used for against plane attacks so the round were visible.
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TANKS
http://www.independent.ie/life/world-war-1/a-history-of-world-war-one-in-10-deadly-weapons-30249206.html
https://www.brainyquote.com/search_results.html?q=weapons+in+ww1
" Even today we raise our hand against our brother... We have perfected our weapons, our conscience has fallen asleep, and we have sharpened our ideas to justify ourselves as if it were normal we continue to sow destruction, pain, death. Violence and war lead only to death."- Pope Francis
" Even today we raise our hand against our brother... We have perfected our weapons, our conscience has fallen asleep, and we have sharpened our ideas to justify ourselves as if it were normal we continue to sow destruction, pain, death. Violence and war lead only to death."- Pope Francis