There were always war weapons right since ancient times. But, as time passed, there was a revolution in the technology of weapons too. The trend of technological advancement started prior to World War I during the American Civil War of 1861-1865. The weapons in World War I saw a whole new level of innovation and standardization. The major innovations were seen in weapons like machine-guns, grenades, and artillery. Additionally, there were loads of modifications in warplanes, poison gas, tanks, and submarine, that just made the battlefield harder on both borders.
Lets, check the 10 most powerful weapons from World War I.
10. Flamethrower
Flamethrower becomes one of the most prominent weapons of World War I and World War II. The use of flamethrower came into existence right in 1915. Further, the first development was done by the Germans. Additionally, the two famously known flamethrowers were the “Kleinflammenwerfer” and the “Grossflammenwerfer”.
A flamethrower is designed to project a jet of fire at a controllable rate for a certain distance. The design is still in existence in the modern era but is come up with highly advanced features and techniques.
The use of these two flamethrowers made a huge impact during the Hooge battle of the Western Front on 30 July 1915. Though it was a defensive tool, the usage became limited due to short-range operation.
9. F-1 Grenade
F-1 grenade was a massive tool used during World War I by France. The grenade was a proper counterpart of the Double Cylinder “jim tin” explosive. The use of this grenade was seen during and after World War I.
The major advantage of the F-1 grenade over the Double Cylinder was the reliability. F-1 was produced in large quantities by the French State in 1915. Further, the grenade proved to be the most successful one while comparing the rest of the grenades of its range.
Additionally, the United States used the base of the F-1 grenade to fuse the design with M1916 Billant to come up with a new explosive tool. Seeing the success rate in the war campaigns, France produced over 60 million F-1 grenades from 1915 to 1940.
8. Fokker Triplane
Fokker Triplane is considered the prominent triplane aviation technology in World War I. Also recognized as “Fokker Dr.I”, the Fokker Triplane made its first flight on July 5, 1917.
As the aviation technologies were still in progress of development, the Fokker Triplane started with a primitive usage. Additionally, this included deadly dogfights, tactical bombing, and ground attacks. However, the technology was not well versed as that of the ground combating strategies.
The aircraft was manufactured by Fokker-Flugzeugwerke and became a powerful war tool by early 1918. The triplane was considerably slower in speed when compared to the Allied fighter jets.
However, the performance was not dramatically high at high altitudes. Furthermore, the triplane had a good capacity to climb high altitudes for a short duration of time.
7. HMS Dreadnought
HMS Dreadnought was a brilliant warship and a Royal Navy battleship, which entered its first server in 1906. The name of the warship was symbolized as “fear nothing”.
The name of the ship represented a whole new level of advancement in naval technology. Additionally, at the time of her completion, the “Dreadnought” was considered one of the fastest battleship in the world of her range.
Having such a mighty beast of power, the Dreadnought was not well-utilized during World War I. The only participation and the significance of the ship were ramming and sinking a German submarine SM U-29.
6. Artillery Guns
Artillery guns were one of the most premium weapons used in World War I. They were used primarily for aggressive break open the front line of the enemy. Further, the development of artillery guns started right from the start of World War I.
With a capacity to fire consistently, the artillery guns made the enemy’s frontline diminish at an easier rate. Additionally, the enemy troops recognized themselves that they are not safe anymore against the artillery guns. With better efficiency, Mortars were revived by the Germans.
The artillery guns were developed to fire at a greater angle than 45 degrees. The Paris Gun developed by the Germans was considered a well muzzled, strong, well-sized, and long-ranged artillery gun.
5. Vickers Machine Gun
This piece of the weapon looks like a real combat machine of all time. Vickers machine gun became a prominent and famous weapon during World War I. Also recognized as the “Vickers gun”, this insane tool was originally prepared for use by the British Army.
Additionally, the machine gun was tested by the Machine Gun Corps that fired a million rounds without a failure to symbolize the reliability of the machine gun. This continuous drill of Vickers machine gun firing took place for about twelve hours.
Further, Ian V. Hogg presented this wonderful war piece in “Weapons & War Machines” with a statement of its solidity and reliability. The machine gun was heavy enough that needed about six to eight people to operate.
Furthermore, the maxim machine guns were widely used during World War I due to the shortage of Vickers machine guns. The Vickers was then sold at a high cost and as well had high demands due to the war campaign.
4. Poison Gas
Poison gas was yet another powerful weapon of World War I introduced by the Germans. The first use of the toxic gas was by the German troops on April 22, 1915. Further, these poison gas weapons were used against the French colonials in Belgium.
At first, the Germans tried poison gas on the French colonial division which proved their success in defense tools. The prevailing situation of Germans with the poison gas devastated the Allied line of French colonial divisions.
Additionally, the initial firing quantity was more than 150 tons of dangerous “chlorine” gas. The active development of poison gas weapons started by Germans immediately after the outbreak of World War I.
Germans developed an advanced toxic gas known as “xylyl bromide” in January 1915. This was even more dangerous than the previous “chlorine” gas. And the poisonous chlorine gas was used against Russian troops at Bolimov on the eastern front.
3. Airships
Airships were the biggest contributor to strategic bombing during World War I by the Germans. Being said that, the Airships are nothing but air balloons that helps navigate and figure the opponent’s troop positions. They can be kept under control and can be mounted with bombs for surprise attacks.
The German Navy implied over 50 bombing raids on the United Kingdom until the end of World War I. Additionally, the majority of the airships were built and produced by a company name “Zeppelin”. However, it becomes difficult to navigate in windy areas to produce perfect bombing. Further, the airships were replaced with airplanes by the end of 1917 due to the increasing development of defensive measures against the airships.
A total of 84 airships participated in the bombing raids against Britain during World War I. This caused about 557 fatalities and injuring 1,358 people. Such a strategic bombing by the Germans became one of the most expensive damages for Britain.
2. Mark V Tank
Mark V tank is considered the most powerful tank of World War I. The Mark V tank was an improved version of the Mark IV tank. The first deployment of this war tank was on the Western Front in July 1918.
Additionally, the tank was deployed for the Battle of Hamel and then at the Battle of Amiens. The existence of Mark V was effective enough to prove the support for Australian troops amid the difficulties at Bullecourt.
In the Battle of Amiens, the Mark V tanks sustained enough hits from other artillery weapons but managed to reach the battalion to accomplish the objective.
Mark V tanks were equipped with a six-cylinder engine with what was referred to as a “somewhat unorthodox design”. The tank was so unique in its appearance that it grabbed the attention of many across the globe.
However, the tank was very efficient with displacing 19 liters and developing 150 bhp. The Mark V tanks come with two variants, Mark V* and Mark V**. Currently, there are eleven surviving Mark V tanks.
1. German U-Boat U-14
German U-boat U-14 is considered the most destructive and powerful weapon in World War I. The U-14 was one of the submarines serving the Imperial German Navy.
While the U-boat series was the German Navy’s most improvised defense tool, the U-14 was one among them to succeed for the use in World War I. Additionally, the U-14 was successful enough to destroy more enemy warships than the High Seas Fleet.
This incredible piece of war tool became one of the most engaging naval warfare of all time. Further, while considering the U-14 history, the U-boat made its initial campaign against the British Grand fleet.
The campaign against them became highly destructive, which led to the loss of over half of Britain’s merchant marine fleet. Finally, the U-boat U-14 was accounted for as one of the most successful weapons of World War I.