Weapons

Weapons c.1900-present

The most rapid change to warfare has occurred in the modern era. Significant advances in technology and science have transformed weapons and taken troops away from the battlefield itself.

WWI weapons

Mines - large explosive mines were laid in tunnels with planned detonation. These could make craters of 50m in diameter.
Lee Enfield Rifle - breech-loaded.
Grenades and wire cutters.

Machine guns

Automatic weapons capable of firing rounds quickly.
These have progressed from heavy and immobile, to lighter guns that are carried by infantry and often mounted on tanks and helicopters.

Tanks

Used first in 1916.
They were armour-plated and took the role of the cavalry, allowing a charge through the front line and protection for infantry.
By WWII they could reach 40km/hour.
Today, they can travel 50km/hour (Challenger 2) and are almost impenetrable.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)

Drones can be controlled remotely and are used for reconnaissance and surveillance.
Current technology is beginning to equip them with missiles.
These reduce the amount of soldiers needed on the battlefield.

Precision Guided Missiles (PGMs)

These are guided by radar or GPS and are incredibly accurate.
They can change direction in flight and are commonly used in warfare.

Nuclear Weapons

The most rapid change to warfare has occurred in the modern era. Significant advances in technology and science have transformed weapons and taken troops away from the battlefield itself.

Nuclear weapons

Reactions inside the nucleus of an atom produce massive explosions and harmful radiation.

Use of nuclear weapons

These are interesting weapons to consider in modern warfare because they have only been used twice both times in 1945 against Japan at:
- Hiroshima.
- Nagasaki.

Mutually Assured Destruction

While countries possessed and continued to develop nuclear weapons throughout the Cold War, the weapons acted more as deterrents (put someone off) than as weapons likely to be used due to the likelihood and fear of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD).

Purpose

The existence of powerful weapons like these reduced the need for large conventional armies and promoted specialisation.

1Medieval Warfare c.1250-1500

1.1Medieval Warfare & Society

1.1.1Weapons

1.1.2Composition

1.1.3Recruitment & Training

1.1.4Experience of Civilians

1.1.5Case Studies

1.1.6Change in Medieval Warfare

2Early Modern Warfare c.1500-1700

2.1Early Modern Warfare & Society

2.1.1Weapons

2.1.2Composition

2.1.3Recruitment & Training

2.1.4Experience of Civilians

2.1.5Case Studies

2.1.6Change in Early Modern Warfare

3Industrial Warfare c.1700-1900

3.1The Industrial Period & Warfare

3.1.1Weapons

3.1.2Composition

3.1.3Recruitment & Training

3.1.4Experience of Civilians

3.1.5Case Studies

3.1.6Change in Industrial Period Warfare

4Modern Warfare c.1900-present

4.1Modern Warfare & Society

4.1.1Weapons

4.1.2Composition

4.1.3Recruitment & Training

4.1.4Experience of Civilians

4.1.5Case Studies

4.1.6Change in Modern Warfare

5The Historic Environment

5.1London & the Second World War, 1939-45

5.1.1London: A Target

5.1.2Preparations for War

5.1.3The Blitz

5.1.4V1 & V2 Attacks

5.1.5Impact of the Blitz

5.1.6The War Effort

5.1.7The Government

5.1.8The Royal Family

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