Weapons

August 8 1918

Dear Ada,

I remember at first when machine-guns came out, we were told that they were cumbersome and ineffective- that we were better off with our Ross Rifles and bayonets. However, that was soon proven wrong. We began to realize that this new invention, like one soldier put it “mowed down soldiers like wheat falling before the cutter”. Our Ross Rifles were nothing in comparison.

At first, we had only four Colt machine-guns in each battalion. I found that it was quite a good weapon, although it did still have a tendency to jam after each rapid-fire. But it was still much more effective than our Ross Rifles. Then just recently, the Colt was replaced by the Vickers. A heavier, more dependable weapon, it is mainly used in defense, although I suppose it could also be used in attack. It fires a .303 calibre cartridge, but because it takes five to transport it along with adequate ammunition and water, it is generally not used as a primary attack weapon. So we use our Lewis guns, light machine-guns that can be carried by a single soldier.

Machine-guns are not the only new invention though. Mustard gas is a whole new horror. First used in the second battle of Ypres, the Germans unleashed this yellow-green cloud of gas that drifted over us, an oppressive feeling of suffocation.  Many died brutally, their lungs being corrupted by this awful gas. However, increasingly effective gas masks have been put into action and the British have also released their own gas attacks against the Germans.  

And finally, the tanks. These huge armoured vehicles are monsters in themselves. They can crash through barbed wire and other trench obstacles. The problems of the early tanks included mechanical failures, lack of speed, and its difficulty in traveling over heavily cratered terrain. Like all inventions though, they keep improving. Attached is a photograph taken at the Battle of Amiens, as I and fellow soldiers return from combat. 

Love from,

Grant

Falk, J. A., et al. Social Studies Eleven Student Workbook. Ed. Jennifer Falk. 2nd ed. Surrey: Hazelmere Publishing, 2010. Print.

 “Machine-Guns.” Canadian War Museum. Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation, n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2010. <http://www.warmuseum.ca/‌cwm/‌exhibitions/‌guerre/‌machine-guns-e.aspx>.

 “Poison Gas.” Canadian War Museum. Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation, n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2010. <http://www.warmuseum.ca/‌cwm/‌exhibitions/‌guerre/‌poison-gas-e.aspx>.

Returning on a Tank. N.d. George Metcalf Archival Collection . Canadian War Museum. Web. 24 Nov. 2010. <http://www.warmuseum.ca/‌cwm/‌exhibitions/‌guerre/‌photo-e.aspx?PageId=2.B.2.i&photo=3.E.2.bl&f=%2fcwm%2fexhibitions%2fguerre%2ftanks-vehicles-e.aspx&p=1>.

 “Tanks and Armoured Vehicles.” Canadian War Museum. Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation, n.d. Web. 26 Nov. 2010. <http://www.warmuseum.ca/‌cwm/‌exhibitions/‌guerre/‌tanks-vehicles-e.aspx>.