Weapons

Dear Mary,

 

Our world is full of so much violence. Every day we are introduced to new, improvised weapons. Weapons that can kill more people in less time. Technology is definitely advancing but not in a positive way. We mainly machine guns in trench warfare or whenever trying to capture an enemy fort. They have an astonishing long rage firing rate, killing over 10 people per minute! They are also very useful if the enemy is crossing over No Man’s Land. That leaves rifles and pistols for battlefields. We are supplied with the latest version of these guns every now and then, each time a lighter, faster version. Rifle grenades are also often used in warfare; they cause all the explosions we hear commonly as we sit in the trenches. Now, we have even more operative weapons such as the tank. The tanks used before were very heavy and slow. The 3 men inside were deaf from the loud noise it made while firing and the force thrown back during firing shook the men’s bones. Now, the tanks are much more improved and bigger, carrying up to 8 men, but at the same time more comfortable. They also have better bodies that are immune to machine gun fire. As you already know Mary, chlorine gas is also used in warfare, and this colourless, poisonous gas is very deadly as you suffocate and are blinded easily. Thank God, they give us masks for protection. And don’t get me started on the torpedoes and submarines that are used in the sea! They blow up ships in minutes! I’ve heard many stories about them. U-Boats are scattered all around and prevent soldiers moving from one place to another by ship. I know Mary, it is all very fascinating but at the same time devastating. I can’t wait for this war to be over, I want to come back home.

Jacques DuBois

Sources:
Canadians at War 1911-1918 By: Donald M. Santor
http://www.firstworldwar.com/weaponry/