What in the History…

WWI Weapons

I. War in the AirA. 1915 – first use of airplanes in battle

1. reconnaissance - to spot enemy position2. attack enemy - communication posts

B. zeppelins / airships1. caused little damage2. filled with hydrogen gas – unstable

C. dog fights – control of air space1. used hand guns, machine guns added later2. flying ace

a. Manfred von Richthofen – German, The Red Barronb. Eddie Rickenbacker – U.S.

Name Air service Confirmedvictories

Baracca, Francesco Corpo Aeronautico Militare 34

Bishop, William Avery Royal Air Force 72

Brumowski, Godwin Luftfahrtruppen 35

Cobby, Arthur Henry Australian Flying Corps 29

Fonck, René Aéronautique Militaire 75

Kazakov, Alexander Imperial Russian Air Force 20

Richthofen, Manfred von Luftstreitkräfte 80

Rickenbacker, Edward Vernon US Army Air Service 26

Red Baron Scores Two Victories

1. What was the text about?

2. How does “The Red Baron” feel about battle? (cite evidence from the text)

3. Why is the source to be trusted (or not)?

(cite evidence from the text or explain your response)

4. How does this info add to your understanding of WWI?

II. War at Sea

A. mainly u-boat (unterseeboot) / submarine attacks

B. unrestricted submarine warfare 1915, 1917

1. attacked merchant and passenger ships

2. main defense was convoys with escorts

III. War on the Land

A. Trench warfare on Western Front

1. used to defend position / not give up land

a. fighting in “no mans land”

2. military generals continued to order

assaults causing higher deaths

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B. Widespread use of rifles and machine guns

IV. New / “improved” Weapons

A. chemical warfare – gas

1. invented gas mask for defense

B. flame throwers, grenades, mortar, tanks