WW1 Weapons Flashcards
(25 cards)
What marked a turning point in warfare during World War I?
World War I combined old tactics with new, deadly technology.
What was the main weapon of infantry soldiers in WWI?
Rifles were the main weapon of infantry soldiers.
What type of rifle was commonly used and how many rounds could it fire per minute?
Bolt-action rifles, like the British Lee-Enfield, could fire about 15 rounds per minute.
What was the effective range of rifles used in WWI?
Rifles were accurate and reliable at long ranges, up to 500m.
How did machine guns revolutionize warfare in WWI?
Machine guns could replace dozens of men and fired hundreds of bullets per minute.
What was the most effective machine gun used in WWI?
The Maxim Gun was an extremely effective machine gun.
What was the largest killer in WWI?
Artillery was the largest killer in WWI.
What was the range of artillery shells in WWI?
Artillery fired massive explosive shells over long distances, some over 20 km.
What psychological effect did artillery have on soldiers?
Artillery caused psychological trauma, known as ‘shell shock’.
What was the purpose of artillery before infantry attacks?
Artillery was used to soften enemy trenches before infantry attacks.
What type of gas was first introduced in WWI?
Poison gas, specifically chlorine gas, was introduced by Germans in 1915.
What were the effects of poison gas used in WWI?
Poison gas caused blindness, burns, and suffocation.
What did the use of poison gas lead to?
The development of gas masks.
What type of grenades were used in trench fighting?
Fragmentation grenades, like the British Mills Bomb, were used.
What was the purpose of bayonets in WWI?
Bayonets were a blade attached to the end of a rifle for close combat.
How were tanks first used in WWI?
Tanks were first used by the British in 1916 during the Battle of the Somme.
What was the design purpose of early tanks?
Tanks were designed to cross trenches and resist machine gun fire.
What marked the start of modern armored warfare?
The introduction of tanks in WWI marked the start of modern armored warfare.
How did aircraft evolve during WWI?
Aircraft evolved from reconnaissance planes to include fighters, bombers, and air battles.
Who was a famous ace in WWI?
The German Red Baron was a famous ace.
What role did submarines (U-boats) play in WWI?
German U-boats targeted Allied supply ships using torpedoes.
What impact did U-boats have on the US’s involvement in WWI?
Their unrestricted warfare helped bring the US into the war in 1917.
What was a key takeaway regarding WWI weapons and tactics?
WWI weapons were technologically advanced but used with outdated strategies.
What was the consequence of the mismatch between weapons and strategies in WWI?
This mismatch led to massive casualties and stalemate.
