The Illustrated History of the Weapons of World War One

Book excerpt: World War 1 was a global military conflict. It began as a skirmish between Serbia and Austria-Hungary with the assassination of Arch Duke Ferdinand in June 1914 and was transformed into a European war when Germany declared war on Russia on August 1, 1914. The loss of life was unequalled, with some 8 million solders and more than 6 million civilians dying during four years of stagnant trench warfare and in failed attacks. It was the first time that many of the military technologies we now take for granted were seen, including aircraft, submarines and tanks. Yet, these were overshadowed by more established weapons such as machine guns, and artillery, the most lethal weapon of all. This visual encyclopedia looks at the key weapons used during the Great War. Each is listed chronologically within sections on the Army, Air Force and Navy. Each weapon features a brief history with a description on how it was used and key specifications, such as calibre, magazine, system, length, weight and muzzle velocity. The first section on Army Weapons features weapons used by the armies and infantry men, such as mortars, rifles and tanks. This is followed by Airforce Weapons and Airships, which includes bombers, fighter aircraft and Zeppelins. Finally Naval Weapons features the warships of Germany's Imperial Navy, the Royal Navy and the Allied powers' fleets, from the early battleships to more modern dreadnoughts and destroyers. From rifles, the main weapon used by British infantry men, to machine guns which needed four to six men to work them, and from tanks which were used for the first time during the battle of Somme to the new torpedo-boats whose main targets were the older battleships and more modern dreadnoughts, this is a detailed and fascinating guide to the military technologies developed during the First World War. Illustrated with more than 180 evocative contemporary photographs, the book will offer new insights for both general and specialist readers.