Weapons and Warfare during WWI

Year 9 History
Weapons & Warfare during WWI

If you have any questions or requests for assistance regarding your research, please contact your Teacher Librarians.

Last updated 24 August 2020

This page has been created to support Year 9 HASS students with their inquiry task on the impact of World War One on Australia and it’s people.

This page is about weapons and warfare of Australia’s armed forces in WWI.

Watch this video for an introduction to the theatres of war in which Australian soldiers fought and the conditions they endured there, such as trench warfare. Learn about the differences in the nature of warfare in various battles, including Gallipoli, the Western Front and Palestine.

Baricevic, T. (Director). (2019). Australian experience of World War I [Video file]. Retrieved from ClickView database.

Use these terms to search the catalogue, eResources or the Internet.

Weapons World War I
Weapons Great War
Warfare World War I
Warfare Great War

Print Resources

Below is a small selection of print resources that include information about the development of weaponry during WWI. You can locate these using the shelf Call No indicated. You will also find more resources by searching the Library Catalogue using your keyword.

940.3 OBR
O’Brien, C., & Merritt, A. (1991). 1914-1918, the world at war: understanding the First World War through sources and evidence. Port Melbourne, Vic: Heinemann Educational.

940.3 WEB
Webb, K. (2017). World War I. South Melbourne, Vic: Cengage Learning Australia.

This has a British focus but will still give you relevant information. Use in combination with Australian specific sources of information.

940.394 HIL
Hillman, R. (2001). World War I. Melbourne, Victoria: Echidna Books.

eBooks

eBook
Dowswell, P. (2002). Weapons and technology of World War I. Retrieved from AccessIt database.

This text will give you a good overview of the kinds of weapons and type of warfare used generally in WWI. Use the index to discover information specific to Australia.

eResources

There are no recommended databases at the moment.

Websites

Search the catalogue for appropriate websites or use the websites listed below. If you search the Internet on your own, you will need to evaluate the websites using the CRAAP method.

BBC. (n.d.). Which new weapons were used in the war?. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/articles/zs666sg

Nelson, Ken. (n.d.). World War I for Kids: Changes in Modern Warfare. Retrieved from https://www.ducksters.com/history/world_war_i/ww1_changes_in_modern_warfare.php

Australian War Memorial. (n.d.). Early tank design and use. Retrieved from https://www.awm.gov.au/learn/schools/resources/mephisto/design-use

Australian War Memorial. (2017). Drip (or “pop off”) rifle. Retrieved from https://www.awm.gov.au/articles/encyclopedia/gallipoli/drip_rifle

Australian War Memorial. (n.d.). Gas. Retrieved from https://www.awm.gov.au/visit/exhibitions/anzac-voices/gas

Burness, P. (2004). Wartime Issue 26 – The Big Guns. Retrieved from https://www.awm.gov.au/about/our-work/publications/wartime/26/big-guns

Department of Veterans’ Affairs. (2020). Australian Light Horse in World War I. Retrieved from https://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/wars-and-missions/ww1/military-organisation/australian-imperial-force/australian-light-horse

Department of Veterans’ Affairs. (2019). Weapons used by the Australian Army in World War I. Retrieved from https://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/wars-and-missions/ww1/military-organisation/army-weapons

Etzel, M. (2015). Australian issued rifles and bayonets of the First World War. Retrieved from https://www.awm.gov.au/articles/blog/australian-issued-rifles-and-bayonets-first-world-war

Videos

Simple History. (2017, December 30). Drip rifle [Video file]. https://youtu.be/b_MoLRzu-cE

Simple History. (2017, January 2). First World War tech: Chlorine Gas & Gas Masks [Video file]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmir6SxYNII

The Great War. (2015, April 7). Poison Gas Warfare In WW1 I THE GREAT WAR Special [Video file]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrHFEPu_ANI