Question

Describe trench warfare and the new technology.

Answer 1

Trenches were a big reason for much of the stalemate battles in WW1. New technology, such as machine guns, turned entire fields into "no man's land" and trenches were dug along the front lines (and often elaborated with tunnels and bunkers) to house soldiers and avoid the fire and artillery explosions raking over their heads.

Gains were made by inches and jumping up and out of a trench usually meant a quick death if the enemy had guns trained in your direction. Casualties were extremely high as both sides tried to wear each other down through attrition.

Chemical gas attacks were also feared, such as mustard gas attacks (which Hitler survived) and eventually led to the banning of their use later on. Most of the major powers in the war used gas to some extent and continued to come up with even more lethal mixes. Despite its fear factor and the horrific effects of these chemicals, though, most casualties in the war were still from conventional arms.

Tanks later appeared. They were large, clunky, slow, but provided a way to get through barbed wire and the possibility of breaking many of the trench stalemates because of their armor and the weapons they used. Planes were also also used as reconnaissance units for the first time in war, along with zeppelins, and would introduce a new form of warfare in the skies.

Answer 2

The new technology was "fire power" that did not exist in prior wars to the level it was available during WWI. Specifically, it was the machine gun and artillery. The majority of the deaths and injuries were from artillery. A distance second was machine guns. Only a small number were from the traditional rifle fire and bayonet. I don't remember the exact statistics, but I think casualties were about 70% from artillery, 20% from machine guns, and 10% from rifle, pistol, hand to hand, etc. Artillery was far more deadly than in prior wars with larger caliber weapons and air bursts besides the previously mentioned gas.