Weapons and wounds

• What were the initial advantages in World War One weaponry?

  • Defensive weapons outweighed offensive weapons
  • Both sides were dug into trenches
  • Defensive technology advanced more than offensive
• What was the most common infantry weapon in World War One?

  Bolt action rifle
• What was the primary cause of wounds and deaths in World War One?

  Artillery
• How did artillery contribute to casualties in World War One?

  Caused almost half of all casualties
• What happens to a bullet that loses velocity inside the body?

  It may be lodged within the body
• What was the survival rate for men hit in the legs early in the war?

  20% survival rate
• What were the main causes of death from wounds in World War One?

  Blood loss, vital organ damage, shock, infection
• How many men in the British army had limbs amputated?

  41,000 men
• How many men had facial injuries in World War One?

  60,000 men
• What was the purpose of steel helmets introduced in 1916?

  To protect against shrapnel
• What types of gas were used in World War One?

  Chlorine, phosgene, mustard gas
• What was the effect of chlorine gas on victims?

  Suffocated and caused lung damage
• What was the effect of mustard gas on victims?

  Caused blisters and potential blindness
• What was the initial defense against chlorine gas?

  Urinating on a cloth
• How did gas masks evolve during the war?

  From chemical-soaked to sophisticated filters
• What were the overall characteristics of World War One weaponry?

  • Strength of defensive weapons
  • Artillery was the biggest killer
  • Shrapnel caused complex wounds
  • Traumatic gunshot wounds were common