Machine Guns In World War One

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With their high firing rates, and extensive damage, machine guns are an essential part of warfare. From the first prototypes, to its introduction into warfare, the machine gun has given armies an extraordinary advantage. This had a huge effect on the course of WWI, and the development of new warfare tactics. Undoubtedly, the introduction of the machine gun in WWI was the most significant military advance of its time. The first prototype machine gun was invented in 1884, by Hiram S. Maxim. From the very beginning, the automatic style of this firearm was revolutionary. The ability to fire multiple bullets with a single pull of the trigger was baffling to many. The gun itself worked by, “harnessing the energy released by the firing cartridge” …show more content…
At the start of the war, the machine gun was primarily a defensive weapon. It was highly effective, “When established in fixed strong-points sited specifically to cover potential enemy attack routes, the machine gun proved a fearsome defensive weapon. Enemy infantry assaults upon such positions invariably proved highly costly” (Duffy). The earliest machine guns of the war were cumbersome and needed to be at a fixed point, often bolted down. This contributed to their defensive advantage, but were not originally effective on the offensive. There use on tanks allowed them to remain mobile and also retain their original defensive power (Duffy). Operators could fire the machine gun from a small hole in the roof, but also gain cover from enemy fire inside the tanks. This fixed the previous issue mobility, while also adding extra coverage. This idea of mobilizing the machine guns also played a huge role in aircrafts. The addition of these fully automatic weapons to aircrafts saw an even larger increase in mobility. Although pilots sacrificed accuracy, machine gun fire could be used to combat other aircrafts, and ground troops. Waves of air attack on the front lines of enemy troops was
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