How did new technology effect soldiers during WWI?
Machine guns had a major effect. In WW1 infantry tactics did not change with developments in technology. They still used massive wave attacks with huge infantry formations attacking positions in an attempt to overwhelm the enemy defenses. When they started employing belt fed machine guns the body count was massive since the machine gun could mow down huge amounts of people. Because of this they had massive trenches built and relied on artillery since assault was suicide due to the machine gun. The single biggest reason the WW1 developed into a “trench war” was the machine gun since assault was virtually impossible and you had to rely on artillery. When they finally came out with the first tanks then assaults could continue. Tanks could assault positions and were impervious to machine gun fire. In fact research and development for the tank was a direct result of the machine gun and its effects. Barbed wire slows you down, thats about it. You can flaten it, or simply cut it. Air combat w
