Weapons & The First World War - Mauser Gewehr

Hello everyone and welcome back to our weapons and the first world war series where today we just wanted to touch on the Mauser Gewehr rifle. This rifle was and still is known as one of Germany's most notable bolt action rifle and one that was popular for a long time. It was designed by Peter Paul Mauser in response to the French Lebel M1888 and was used widely in German forces throughout the first world war. 

Weapons & The First World War - Smokeless Gun Powder

Hello everyone and welcome back to our weapons and the first world war series. For years, the military had been hampered with the problems gun powder produced. In particularly, the fact that the was more often than not no visibility due to a thick cloud of smoke on the battlefield. 

In 1886, Paul Vielle invented a substance known as Poudre B. When fired, this substance formed little, if any smoke. It was also deemed to be more powerful than gun powder and so whilst it was the French that first used it, other countries soon followed suit. 

Poudre B meant that visibility was slightly better on the first world war battlefields than that of previous battles when using standard gun powder. It also shaped the way our weapons our designed and made today and certainly helped us to go on to win the second world war.  

Life AT War - Day by Day

18th April 1915

The French pilot Roland Garros has reportly been shot down. He was last seen gliding to land on the German side of the front line.

Life AT War - Day by Day

5th April 1915

The French military have begun an offensive to be known as the Woevre offensive.

Life AT War - Day by Day

18th March 1915

A British attack in Dardanelles has failed.

The French battleship Bouvet has exploded, killing 640 people.

Life AT War - Day by Day

13th February 1915

The French have tried to drive German forces back into the Champagne region.

Life AT War - Day to Day

4th October 1914

A fleet of French and English ships have bombed Turkish forts.

Life AT War - Day by Day

15th September 1914

The Battle of Aisne has begun between German and French troops.

Life AT War - Day by Day

5th September 1914

British forces have prevented german troops from advancing into Paris, the french headquaters have moved to Chatillon-sur-seine, US president Wilson has ordered the US Navy to make its wireless stations accessible for any transatlantic communications.

Life AT War - Day by Day

25th August 1914

German army begins a six week plundering of Leuven in Belgium. German troops have marched into France, pushing the French Army to Sedan. German zeppelins have bombed Antwerp in Belgium, killing ten people.

Life AT War - Day by Day

21st August 1914

German troops have occupied Tamines in Belgium. The French offensive in the Ardennen/Sambre has begun.


That day was to become known in history as the start of the Massacre of Tamines lasting a further two more days.