Weapons - WW1 Flashcards
List the types of weapon in WW1
Flame throwers Torpedoes Bayonets Rifles and pistols Machine guns Artillery Mustard and chlorine gas Smokeless powder
What does artillery mean
The word used to describe large-calibre mounted field guns
Why did the bayonet become an old fashioned weapon during the war
Because there were more advanced weaponry such as machine guns and tanks, plus the action rifle was used by many
Why were machine gunner crews more likely to be killed by enemy than foot soldiers if they were captured
As they killed more men, due to the fact a machine gun could fire 400 rounds a minute and kill so many more men than a foot soldier
What were chlorine gases used for
To attack the enemy
What did French soldiers think this gas (chlorine) was
A smoke screen, as they hadn’t came across it before
What was chlorine gas’ distinctive smell
Pepper and pineapple
Mustard gas was the most what
Deadly biological weapon, it was odourless and took 12 hours to take effect, it was also extremely powerful and could kill on many occasions
Why did chlorine gas need certain weather conditions to be used
As they would know what direction the gas would go due to the wind and could be certain it wouldn’t blow back on them
Mustard gas had what smell?
Odourless
What effects did chlorine gas have in the soldiers
Lung pain, chest pains, a burning sensation in ones throats and suffocation
What effects did mustard gas have in the men
Blistered skin
Eyes sore
Vomit
How quick would you die after being exposed to chlorine gas
Pretty quickly, almost instant
How quick would you die after being exposed to mustard gas
Up to 5 weeks
When was chlorine gas first used
By the Germans
When was mustard gas first used
In 1915 at Ypres
What is a zeppelin/blimp and what is it used for
It is an air ship and it was used in the the early part of the war in bombing raids by the Germans
Why was the zeppelin/blimp an easy target
Because it was large and visible
Why were tanks unsuccessful war machines in WW1
As they were so slow and couldn’t cross trenches
How did this war change the way men fought in battle
It introduced new tactics, weapons and they fought in the air
What were rifles and pistols like in WW1 compared to now
Were manually operated in WW1 but now self load and capable of automatic shooting and they are now also lighter and smaller
What were machine guns like in WW1 compared to now
They were big and bulky, hard to carry and operate, also uncommon BUT now they are lighter and every squad has a machine gunner
What were artillery like in WW1 compared to now
In WW1 they needed 12 men to work them, shells weighed up to 900lb but now they are lighter and less men are required
What were bayonets like in WW1 compared to now
They were used in WW1 if enemy got too close but they are used less now as they are less practical
