What was the deadliest weapon in World War 1?

Answer 1

I think it's almost certainly the machine gun. I'm thinking the machine gun kills more than the artillery shell. It is therefore sad to think that most men, armed as they were with a rifle, were very ineffectual in terms of fighting: they were simply targets.

Perhaps the most feared was the use of poison gases, tear gas, mustard gas, phosgene and chlorine. The idea of being sent home blinded has a chilling effect on the troops.

Perhaps the words of General of the Armies "Black Jack" Pershing after the Battle of Belleau Wood answers the question: "The deadliest weapon in the world is a Marine and his rifle."

Answer 2

Without question, artillery in its various forms (high explosive & shrapnel particularly) was the most deadly weapon of the Great War. Estimates generally assess that somewhere around 70% of First World War casualties were artillery related.

you could also say the machine gun, because entire waves of charging infantry would be cut down.

Answer 3

machine gun

Answer 4

machine gun