Ypres, Belgium - 1915
The Germans introduced a new form of weapon at the First Battle of Ypres in 1915 - Chlorine Gas.
The First Battle of the Marne stopped the German invasion in its tracks and led to the development of Trench Warfare, which became the defining characteristic of the war.
When an atack was launched, the troops would climb "over the top" and walk slowly across No Man's Land towards the enemy trenches, where they were often mowed down by another new technological development of the war - the machine gun.
As the war progress, there were many reports of soldiers having personal experiences with spirits, angels and even God. Is there a ratinal explanation for this, or were these men actually witnessing heavenly beings?
By early 1915, we all realized that this war was not going to be what we expected. We all expected to be "Home by Christmas", but as the Battle of Ypres dragged on, we all quickly realized the foolishness of that pipedream. Gas, trenches, artillary...hell. Now I am unsure I will ever see Christmas again...but still, we fight.