Scotland & The Great War - Weapons Flashcards
1
Q
How were machine guns used?
4
A
- Used as a defensive weapon against attacking forces
- Multiple used to ensure the enemy would cross the lines of fire
- New inventions (e.g: lewis gun) designed to take the fight to the enemy
- Fired for long periods of time to pressurise the enemy
2
Q
How were tanks used?
4
A
- Used to cross trenches and crush barbed wire
- Provided protection and cover for advancing infantry
- Dropped fascines behind them which helped solders cross trenches
- Six pound guns provided firepower for advancing solders
3
Q
How was aircraft used?
4
A
- Used to spy on the enemy
- Pilots would drop bombs and shells to injure / kill the enemy
- Pilots would shoot enemy planes with pistols, and later with mounted machine guns
- Supported solders by dropping smoke to distract the enemy
4
Q
How was artillery used?
4
A
- Used to punch holes in the frontline
- Accurate up to a mile
- Opened up routes for soldiers and infantry
- Most effective as it allowed the enemy to be killed from a safe distance
5
Q
How was gas used?
4
A
- Destroyed the lungs of the victim and incapacitated them
- Use had to be planned with weather - wind could blow it
- Gas put in shells to be fired
- Mustard gas would burn exposed skin
6
Q
Disadvantages of machine guns
3
A
- D: Needed 2-3 men to operate and 6 to move
- D: Could overheat easily and breakdown
- D: Usually had to be fired from fixed position
7
Q
Advantages of Machine Guns
3
A
- A: High rates of fire - 600 rounds per min
- A: Later versions became lighter and more moveable
- A: Did not need a lot of time to reload
8
Q
Disadvantages of tanks
3
A
- D: Would often breakdown - men choke to death on fumes or escape in no mans land
- D: Often became stuck in mud
- D: Moved at slow speeds - 4mph
9
Q
Advantages of Tanks
3
A
- A: Heavily armoured and provided protection
- A: Several guns to destroy the enemy
- A: Caused a lot of fear and surprise
10
Q
Disadvantages of aircraft
3
A
- D: Obvious targets for the enemy
- D: Could be brought down by grappling hook
- D: No significant influence on battle
11
Q
Advantages of Aircraft
3
A
- A: Collected valuable info on enemy plans
- A: Began to carry machine guns for attack
- A: Could sometimes carry bombs and grenades
12
Q
Disadvantages of artillery
3
A
- D: Could only be used from a fixed position
- D: Had to be located far from front lines
- D: Shells had to be produced quickly, so would sometimes not work
13
Q
Advantages of Artillery
3
A
- A: Most effective weapon based on casualties
- A: Improvements meant they could aim better, fire larger shells and be used in moving tactics
- A: Germans prevented from moving from dugouts
14
Q
Disadvantages of gas
3
A
- D: Weather could effect direction
- D: Could effect own soldiers
- D: Gas masks stopped its effectiveness
15
Q
Advantages of Gas
3
A
- A: Effected many people at once
- A: Weakened the enemy drastically
- A: Caused burns to exposed skin
