Question

How did new technology changed warfare during warworld 1?

Answer 1

From my year 12 History assignment:

Due to the new introduction of trenches, many war techniques were no longer practical, with most soldiers succumbing to enemy fire in No-Man’s Land. The stalemate could not be broken, even though the death toll continued to rise. Each side searched for a way to overcome their enemy, leading to the rapid increase in technology. The main weapon introduced by the British was the bolt-action rifle, firing 16 rounds per minute. Large field guns were also common, delivering devastating long-range shells that exploded on impact. Machine guns were used prior to World War I, but were extensively advanced to become one of the biggest killers and account for 85% of the total soldiers’ deaths on the battlefields. Beside machine guns, other common handheld weapons included bayonets, flamethrowers and grenades, which also contributed to massive loss of life. These smaller weapons significantly increased the success for both sides. Another major weapon, used extensively by the Allied powers, were tanks. They were introduced in the Battle of Somme in 1916 and were heavy and clumsy with a maximum speed of 5km/h. They were further developed to cope with the rough terrain and be resistant to enemy fire-power, providing extra protection and success for the Allies in future battles. Poisonous gas was introduced by the Germans at the Battle of Ypres in 1915, and had previously been considered foul play. After this, both sides adopted gas, including chlorine gas, which caused burning in the lungs, and mustard gas, which caused vomiting and internal bleeding[6]. These gases deterred the enemy from approaching their forces. Possession and use of these weapons resulted in some victory, providing new technological advances that had not been seen or used before to overcome the enemy. Without the use of trench warfare, technology would not have been advanced, and the First World War would have had a much different outcome.

The Battle of the Oceans saw the major powers patrolling all seas, including the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Sea campaigns were vitally important to control the supplies being delivered to the enemy. Compared to the battles of land, little fighting between battleships occurred. Submarines only made a large military impact with Germany’s launch of a U-boat fleet, which sank 6,596 ships. The submarine warfare was the primary reason for America’s involvement in the war. Airplanes also became a theatre of war. Planes were new and untested when they were introduced in 1914, and were originally used for spying before they were advanced for dropping explosives. Dogfights were a frequent conflict between the major powers, with over 50,000 airmen succumbing to enemy fire. There were approximately 70 different types of planes in WW1, all modified to perform a particular task to aid the war effort.