Table of Contents
What impact did trench mortars have on ww1?
Its Advantages Over Artillery The chief advantage of the mortar was that it could be fired from the (relative) safety of the trench, avoiding exposure of the mortar crews to the enemy. Furthermore, it was notably lighter and more mobile than other, larger artillery pieces.
Why were trenches so important in ww1?
Trenches were common throughout the Western Front. Long, narrow trenches dug into the ground at the front, usually by the infantry soldiers who would occupy them for weeks at a time, were designed to protect World War I troops from machine-gun fire and artillery attack from the air.
How did artillery impact ww1?
Artillery (heavy guns) played a big part in the battlefields of World War I. A bombardment that was aimed well could destroy enemy trenches, and knock out artillery batteries (groups of guns) and communication lines. It could also help break up an attack by infantry (soldiers on foot).
What happened to the trenches after ww1?
Some zones remain toxic a century later, and others are still littered with unexploded ordnance, closed off to the public. But across France and Belgium, significant battlefields and ruins were preserved as monuments, and farm fields that became battlegrounds ended up as vast cemeteries.
How far could artillery shoot in WWI?
It could fire shells up to 80 miles.
What were the disadvantages of artillery in ww1?
The need to be lightweight limited the size of the shells and the damage they could inflict on the enemy. Heavy artillery is difficult to transport and typically used in fixed positions during siege warfare. Heavy artillery typically requires specialized troops and transport infrastructure.
How did mortars change warfare in World War 1?
Light trench mortars became popular and versatile tools fielded by armies across the globe throughout the 20 th century. While many of the techniques of the First World War would soon be abandoned, this was a weapon that would have a lasting impact. William Weir (2006), 50 Weapons that Changed Warfare.
What was the danger of trench warfare in World War 1?
The dangers of trench warfare were plentiful. Enemy attacks on trenches or advancing soldiers could come from artillery shells, mortars, grenades, underground mines, poison gas, machine guns and sniper fire. Soldiers in the trenches endured conditions ranging from barely tolerable to utterly horrific.
Why did the Germans use the trench mortar?
Trench mortars were among the weapons that allowed them to do this, by providing supporting fire that could move forward with the infantry. Germany’s adoption of the trench mortar, coupled with Stokes’s innovative adaptation, created a new feature of modern armies.
How many trenches were there on the Western Front?
The Western Front itself was not one long trench but a complicated trench system. Both the Allies and the Central Powers relied on a three-trench network, each running parallel to the enemy and connected by communications trenches.