Firearms technology underwent a huge transformation in the 19th century, and several key technological developments drove this change, so powerful battlefield firepower suppression is on the horizon!
First of all, the introduction of machine tools has made the best manufacturing achieve unprecedented precision. Prior to this, the manufacture of firearms relied heavily on manual craftsmanship, so there was a great deal of uncertainty about their quality and performance. However, with the widespread use of machine tools, the most accurate and reliable machine tools have become more accurate, which has laid a solid foundation for the performance of firearms.
Secondly, the introduction of fire caps and cartridges greatly reduced the jamming rate of firearms. Prior to this, there were often problems with the ignition system of firearms, which caused the firearm to jam when firing, which not only affected the accuracy of the shot, but also increased the risk to the user. The introduction of a new ignition system has made the firing of firearms more stable and safe.
Finally, the advent of smokeless gunpowder was also a major breakthrough in firearms technology. Compared to traditional black powder, smokeless powder burns cleaner and more evenly, which not only increases the firing power of the firearm, but also reduces the smoke and noise when firing. More importantly, the use of smokeless gunpowder allowed the recoil of the firearm to be used effectively, thereby increasing the rate of fire of the firearm.
Driven by these technological innovations, Hiram Maxim successfully integrated these innovations into a single **, developing the Maxim heavy machine gun. This firearm has the characteristics of recoil loading, belt feeding, water cooling, etc., and can fire more than 500 rounds per minute, with an effective range of more than 2,000 yards. The appearance of the Maxim heavy machine gun completely changed the face of warfare, making it possible to suppress fire.
Maxim aggressively marketed his ** to various ** teams, and in the years leading up to the First World War, he succeeded in getting a certain version of Maxim's heavy machine gun to be adopted by the armies of various European countries. In the First World War, the Maxim heavy machine gun was widely used on the battlefields of the Western Front, and its powerful firepower inflicted great casualties on the enemy.
However, this powerful firepower also requires corresponding tactics to match. During the First Battle of the Somme, the British ** team encountered a charge equipped with MG 08 (German version of the Maxim heavy machine gunThe stubborn resistance of the German defenders. In just one day, more than 20,000 British soldiers were killed in a bloody and ineffective charge. This bitter lesson has shown that victory cannot be achieved by relying on powerful firepower alone, and that sound tactics and strategies are also required. The advent of the Maxim heavy machine gun also revolutionized the rules of engagement!