World War I: Technology and Warfare

• H. G. Wells, a British writer, observed in 1915 that humanity was at the mercy of "man's increasing power of destruction" due to technological advancements in World War I.
• Technology significantly altered combat in World War I, leading to unprecedented loss of life.

Infantry Warfare

• Infantry warfare previously relied on hand-to-hand combat.
• The machine gun became popular in World War I, enabling soldiers to be killed from a distance.
• Barbed wire and mines made traversing open land difficult.
• Trench warfare emerged as a result.
• The British introduced tanks in 1916, integrating them with airplanes and artillery to advance the front lines.
• Chemical warfare added to the dangers faced by soldiers.

Sea and Airborne Weapons

• Ship-mounted guns could strike targets up to twenty miles inland.
• German submarines had dominance in the North Sea due to their stealth and speed.
• Airplanes, though technologically crude, offered a psychological advantage.
• Fighter pilot aces like Germany's "Red Baron," Manfred von Richthofen, gained celebrity status for mid-air maneuvers.

Public Reaction

• Newspapers documented the public's horror and desire for vengeance in response to technological advancements.
• Following Germany's initial use of poison gas in Ypres, Belgium, in April 1915, the New York Times described the attack as "the most awful form of scientific torture."
• A Daily Chronicle editorial urged Britain to retaliate with poison gas.
• Germany alleged that the Allies were already using mines filled with poison gas.
• The use of poison gases was banned for future wars in 1925 due to the horror of chemical warfare.

War of Attrition

• The war bogged down when Germany's plan for a swift victory failed.
• Both sides then attempted to break the stalemate through force.
• Victory was achieved through territorial supremacy in past conflicts.
• Victory in World War I was attained by outlasting the enemy, leading to a "war of attrition."
• Initially, there were hopes for a short war when fighting began in August 1914.
• Few anticipated a conflict lasting over four years, leaving an entire generation scarred by its brutality.