The First World War was a time of incredible change in how wars were fought. It saw the use of modern weapons on a massive scale, leading to some unique and sometimes strange technological advancements. Let’s explore some of these fascinating weapons and equipment from that era.
Trench warfare was brutal, and soldiers needed weapons for close combat. Enter the gauntlet dagger, also known as the punching dagger. This weapon was worn like a glove and had a blade attached to it. Made from light sheet steel, it had a crossbar for grip. While it wasn’t easy to hold other things with it on, it was deadly and could scare the enemy.
Both the Allied and Central Powers used trench raiding clubs for silent attacks during night raids. These clubs were often made by attaching a metal head to a handle or hammering nails into a stick. Some were even made from walking sticks, like one crafted from a gnarled piece of wood, weighted with lead, and fitted with iron spikes. This weapon was likely used by officers.
The flechette, or aerial dart, was a silent weapon dropped from aircraft onto enemy troops. These feathered projectiles could pierce helmets and cause significant damage upon impact, making them a feared weapon early in the war.
To keep soldiers safe in the trenches, the periscope rifle was invented. This clever device allowed soldiers to aim and shoot without exposing themselves. It used mirrors to reflect the rifle’s sights, enabling soldiers to see and shoot from a safe position. Invented by Lance Corporal William Beach in 1915, it quickly became popular in frontline trenches.
The British Army used the Leach trench catapult to launch grenades into enemy trenches. The French developed a lighter version called the “Arbalète sauterelle type A,” or “grenade crossbow.” Eventually, these were replaced by more advanced mortars like the two-inch medium trench mortar and the Stokes mortar in 1916.
By 1916, most armies had adopted steel helmets, which offered much better protection from shrapnel than cloth caps. Some experiments included chainmail visors for eye protection, but these were not popular due to limited visibility.
Body armor was also considered. The British experimented with it in 1915, but it wasn’t widely issued. There were three types: rigid hard armor with metal plates, intermediate armor with small metal plates on canvas, and soft armor made from layers of fabric. While stronger armor could stop bullets and shrapnel, it was heavy and cumbersome.
Specialist troops like German storm troopers and Italian Arditi were given armor. In 1916, British troops received fans made from waterproof canvas to clear gas from trenches.
Both sides used fake trees as observation and sniping platforms. Engineers would plant these fake trees in no man’s land at night, allowing observers or snipers to spy on the enemy while staying hidden. Only a few of these fake trees were ever discovered.
What weapon or piece of equipment did you find the most interesting? Leave a comment below! Be sure to check out our other videos to learn more. Get your copy of “Simple History: World War 1” available on Amazon now.
Using materials like cardboard, aluminum foil, and tape, create a model of a gauntlet dagger. Pay attention to the design and functionality. Once completed, demonstrate how it might have been used in trench warfare. Discuss with your classmates the advantages and disadvantages of using such a weapon.
Imagine you are a soldier in WWI. Design your own trench raiding club using everyday materials like sticks, nails, and string. Consider the balance and weight of your club. Present your design to the class and explain why it would be effective in a trench raid.
Build a simple periscope using mirrors and a cardboard box. Test it by trying to see over obstacles without exposing yourself. Discuss how the periscope rifle might have changed the tactics of trench warfare and the safety of soldiers.
Research the different types of protective gear used during WWI, such as helmets and body armor. Create a presentation that compares their effectiveness and comfort. Discuss why certain types of gear were more popular than others and how they evolved during the war.
Work in groups to design a camouflage strategy using fake trees. Create a plan for how you would place these trees in a battlefield scenario to maximize their effectiveness for observation or sniping. Present your strategy to the class and explain your reasoning.
The First World War saw modern weaponry used on an immense scale, leading to unique technological advancements in weapons and equipment, as well as some primitive designs reminiscent of earlier eras of warfare. Let’s take a look at some of these weapons.
Born out of the brutality of trench warfare, the gauntlet dagger, sometimes known as the punching dagger, was worn like a glove for close-quarter combat. This weapon consisted of a crudely made blade and a protective gauntlet made from light sheet steel, featuring a crossbar for grip. While it limited the soldier’s ability to hold anything else, it could deliver a lethal impact and instill fear in the enemy.
Another medieval-style weapon was the trench raiding club. Used by both the Allied Powers and the Central Powers, this melee weapon provided a quiet way to eliminate the enemy during nighttime raids. Trench clubs could be made in crude ways, such as attaching a metal head to or hammering boot nails into an entrenching tool handle. Some walking sticks were also modified to serve as trench clubs, like one made from a naturally gnarled piece of wood, weighted with lead and fitted with iron spikes, likely used as an officer’s walking stick.
The flechette, or aerial dart, was a feathered projectile dropped from aircraft onto enemy troops. Used in the early parts of the war, they were capable of piercing helmets and were silent as they descended, inflicting damage upon impact.
The periscope rifle allowed soldiers to aim safely from the trenches without exposing themselves to the enemy. Invented by Lance Corporal William Beach in May 1915 during the Gallipoli Campaign, it utilized an upper mirror to reflect the sights of the rifle into a lower mirror, which the soldier looked through. The periscope rifle proved useful and was soon adopted in many frontline trenches.
The Leach trench catapult was employed by the British Army to launch grenades at a high trajectory into enemy trenches. The French developed the “Arbalète sauterelle type A,” or “grenade crossbow,” which was lighter and more portable, eventually replacing the Leach catapult until it was superseded in 1916 by the two-inch medium trench mortar and the Stokes mortar.
Now, let’s examine some equipment. Steel helmets were adopted by most combatant armies by 1916, providing significantly better protection from shrapnel than cloth caps. There were experiments with chainmail visors attached to helmets for eye protection, but these were unpopular due to limited visibility.
In addition to head protection, torso protection was also considered. The British first experimented with body armor in 1915, but it was not universally issued, with only enough to equip about 2% of the army. There were three types of armor: rigid hard armor, which consisted of metal plates sandwiched between fabric; intermediate armor, made of small metal plates attached to a canvas support; and soft armor, which used layers of silk, cotton, or linen scraps. While stronger armor could stop pistol rounds and shrapnel, it also became heavier and more cumbersome.
Armor was issued to specialist troops by different combatants, such as the German storm troopers and the Italian Arditi. One hundred thousand fans made from waterproof canvas stiffened with cane were issued to British troops on the Western Front in 1916, used to clear gas from the trenches.
Fake trees were utilized by both sides as observation and sniping platforms. Under the cover of night, engineers would plant these observation post trees in no man’s land, allowing observers or snipers to spy on the enemy while remaining concealed. Only a few of these fake trees were discovered and captured.
What weapon or piece of equipment did you find the most interesting? Leave a comment below! Be sure to check out our other videos to learn more. Get your copy of “Simple History: World War 1” available on Amazon now.
Weapons – Tools or instruments used in combat to inflict harm or damage. – During World War I, new weapons such as machine guns and tanks changed the nature of warfare.
Trench – A long, narrow ditch used by soldiers for protection from enemy fire. – The soldiers spent weeks living in the trenches, enduring harsh conditions and constant danger.
Soldiers – Individuals who serve in an army and engage in military operations. – The soldiers bravely advanced across the battlefield despite the heavy artillery fire.
Armor – Protective clothing or gear worn to prevent injury in battle. – Medieval knights wore suits of armor to protect themselves during combat.
Grenades – Small explosive devices thrown by hand or launched to cause damage to enemy forces. – The troops used grenades to clear enemy bunkers during the assault.
Periscope – An optical instrument used to see over or around obstacles, often used in submarines. – The submarine captain used the periscope to observe enemy ships on the surface.
Clubs – Simple weapons made of wood or metal, used for striking. – In ancient times, warriors often used clubs as their primary weapon in battle.
Flechette – A small, dart-like projectile used in warfare, designed to penetrate armor. – Flechettes were dropped from airplanes to target enemy troops during the war.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs. – Understanding history helps us learn from past mistakes and shape a better future.
Technology – The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry. – Advances in technology during the Industrial Revolution transformed manufacturing processes.
