World War I: Land Weapons Systems -- Infantry Weapons


Figure 1.--Th United States did not participate in the European arms race. As a result, the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) used a lot of foreign weapons and equipment in World War I reflecting the limited military budgets. This included machine guns. Thanks to John Browing, the United States had an excellent mschine gun. The Browning M1917, unfortunately it took time to manufacture these guns to equip the AEF. Much of the AEF only got their Brownings after the Armistice (November 1918). The weapon was so advanced that the U.S. Arny used it in both World War II and Korea. Here some children in San Franciso have a look at a Browning M1917, at about the time of the Armistice. American army camps were very open at the ime. The children were presumaby related to a soldier at the camp. A soldier not yet deployed to France has written on this photo postard, but is hard to make out, something like "this is the gun ???? ??? I ???? used if I order spied the zep." Click on the image to see the text. Perhaps you can make out the writing. Thge box the boy is sitting on is labeled, "Hunt Brothers Company San Francisco, California September 1918 U.S. CR. NR. Corps Gross Weight 63 lbs."

The main weapon used by the World War I soldier as all soldiers since the 17th century was the rifle. All of the World war I armies had bolt-action rifles. The various armies had iconic rifles. The standard German infantry rile was the Gewehr 98 Mauser (variously abbreviated as G98, Gew 98, and M98). It was introcuded in 1888. Its main features were rapidly adopted by other armies. The British had the Lee-Enfield rifle. It was a bolt-action, magazine-fed, repeating rifle adopted in 1895. Commonwealth forces also used the Lee Enfield. It held 15 rounds and could be fired in a minute. A competent soldier could kill an ememy 1,400 meters distant. It would also be used in World War II. The American Expeditionary Force (AEF) used a lot of Allied weaponry, especially French weapons, some of which were awful. The AEF did use an American-built rile--the Springfield. The Springfield was the standard wartime rifle of the U.S. Army. It was reliable and produced in a short-barrelled version which was issued to the AEF. The performance of the U.S. rifle was comparable to the British Lee-Enfield, and was also produced in a Mk1 automatic version. The Springfield utilised a licensed Mauser action. There were, however, bot enough Springfields for the AEF. About half of the AEF was issued M1917 'American Enfield'. Ironically, America had developed some excellent infantry weapons, especially the Browning Automatic rifle--the BAR. It was so effective that it was used to great effect in World War II. Unlike the other World War I beligerants, the United States would have a brand new rifle for World War II, the best rifle of the War. The most innovative World War I infantry weapon was the machine gun. Automatic weapons had appeared as early as the American Civil War (1861-65). The U.S. Army Quater Master did not want to use the Gatling Gun at the time because it used too much amunition. World War I was the first time the machine gun was used in a major conflict. By the time of the War, the machine gun had been perfected. Infantry tactics, however had not adjusted. Machine guns properly deployed with effectiuve lines of fire mowed down whole columns of advancing infantry. World War I machine guns needed 4-6 men to work them and had to be set up on a flat surface to work properly. They could generate the fire-power of 100 soldiers armed with boldt-action rifles rifles. The AEF used a lot of foreign machine guns. In this case the excellent Browning M1917 was available, but many AEF units did not get them until after the Armistive was signed. Other important infantry weapons included grenades and flame throwers.

Rifles

The main weapon used by the World War I soldier as all soldiers since the 17th century was the muscet or rifle. Major new infantry weaons were introduced in World war I, especially machine guns and mortars. These weapons were, however, heavy and unwiedly. If an infantryman was to advance in world War I action, the wepon he could carry was his rifle. Fiuhing in defensive positions was different, but to advance, especially any kind of rapid advance, an infantryman needed a weapon he could carry. All of the World war I armies had bolt-action rifles. Major advances in infantry rifles were made as Europeans began an arms race (late-19th century). The single-shot, large-bore rifle was the object of wide-spread research and development in several countries. As aresult the major powers introduced new rifles that were small-bore, bolt-action weapons capable of rapidly firing multiple rounds from pre-loaded spring-loaded clips that were into a rifle magazine. The various armies had iconic rifles. The standard German infantry rile was the Gewehr 98 Mauser (variously abbreviated as G98, Gew 98, and M98). It was introcuded in 1888. Its main features were rapidly adopted by other armies. The British had the Lee-Enfield rifle. It was a bolt-action, magazine-fed, repeating rifle adopted in 1895. Commonwealth forces also used the Lee Enfield. It held 15 rounds and could be fired in a minute. A competent soldier could kill an ememy 1,400 meters distant. It would also be used in World War II. The American Expeditionary Force (AEF) used a lot of Allied weaponry, especially French weapons, some of which were awful. The AEF did use an American-built rile--the Springfield. The Springfield was the standard wartime rifle of the U.S. Army. It was reliable and produced in a short-barrelled version which was issued to the AEF. The performance of the U.S. rifle was comparable to the British Lee-Enfield, and was also produced in a Mk1 automatic version. The Springfield utilised a licensed Mauser action. There were, however, not enough Springfields for the AEF. About half of the AEF was issued the M1917 'American Enfield'. Unlike the other World War I beligerants, the United States would have a brand new rifle for World War II, the best rifle of the War. There were huge advances in weaponry during the inter-War period. Most World War II beligereants, however, would fight the War with World war I rifles. Only the United States would issue an innovative new rifle to its infantrymen. The French began the war with the Lebel 8 mm rifel (Fuil modelle) introduced in 1886. Despite being used for nearlt three decades, the Lebel had serious flaws and was replaced with the Berthier durung the War. The Autro-Hungariam Armyused the Steyr-Mannlicher. The Russians developed the Mosin–Nagant, a 5 shot, bolt-action, internal magazine-fed rifle It was developed by the Imperial Russian Army (1882–91). It is one of the most mass-produced military bolt-action rifles in history. The Russians could not produce it in the number needed for World War I combat, this many Russian soldiers went into combar without a rifle. They were expected to pick up the weapons of comrads struck down. In addition, Russian units used many imported foreign weapons.

Automatic Rifles

Even though the AEF fought in France with many Allies weapons, the United states had developed some excellent infantry weapons, especially the Browning Automatic rifle--the BAR. It was so effective that it was used to great effect in World War II.

Machine Guns

The most innovative World War I infantry weapon was the machine gun. Automatic weapons had appeared as early as the American Civil War (1861-65). The U.S. Army Quater Master did not want to use the Gatling Gun at the time because it used too much amunition. World War I was the first time the machine gun was used in a major conflict. By the time of the War, the machine gun had been perfected. Infantry tactics, however had not adjusted. Machine guns properly deployed with effectiuve lines of fire mowed down whole columns of advancing infantry. World War I machine guns needed 4-6 men to work them and had to be set up on a flat surface to work properly. They could generate the fire-power of 100 soldiers armed with boldt-action rifles rifles. The AEF used a lot of foreign machine guns. In this case the excellent Browning M1917 was available, but many AEF units did not get them until after the Armistive was signed.

Grenades


Flame Throwers


Mortars









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Created: 5:20 AM 11/20/2014
Last updated: 1:22 AM 7/26/2015