Скачать или смотреть The U.S. Weapon Germany FEARED and Tried to OUTLAW! | THE VETERANS ARCHIVES

Discover the incredible story of the Winchester Model 1897 trench shotgun, the American weapon so devastating that German forces feared it and tried to outlaw it during World War One. Originally a civilian hunting gun, engineer William Eager adapted it for military use, creating a short-barreled, rugged trench weapon capable of firing multiple rounds rapidly thanks to its unique slam-fire capability. Deployed at the Battle of Seicheprey in April 1918, it tore through German defenses at close range, instilling terror and disrupting traditional combat doctrine. The weapon’s devastating effectiveness and psychological impact prompted Germany to issue a formal diplomatic protest in September 1918, claiming it violated the Hague Convention. The U.S., led by Secretary of State Robert Lansing and Acting Judge Advocate General Samuel Ansell, rejected the claim, defending the shotgun’s legality and securing its continued use. Soldiers like Medal of Honor recipient Lloyd Seibert wielded it with courage and innovation, proving how close-quarters combat could be dominated through both skill and technology. Beyond WWI, the trench shotgun influenced tactics in World War Two, Korea, and Vietnam, becoming a legendary symbol of American battlefield ingenuity. This documentary explores its technical innovations, combat legacy, and the psychological terror it inflicted, showing how one weapon could challenge tradition, inspire bravery, and leave a permanent mark on military history.

⏱ Timestamps (19:00)
00:00 Intro
01:45 Design & Development
05:30 Combat Debut at Seicheprey
10:40 German Protest & Legal Response
15:20 Legacy & Continued Use

📚 Sources:
U.S. Army Archives, Winchester Repeating Arms Company Records, Hague Convention Documents, WWI After Action Reports, Medal of Honor Citations

🔑 Keywords (~500 characters):
WWI trench gun, Winchester 1897, trench shotgun, American weapon, William Eager, slam-fire shotgun, buckshot rounds, Seicheprey battle, German protest, Hague Convention, Robert Lansing, Samuel Ansell, Lloyd Seibert, Medal of Honor, close-quarters combat, battlefield innovation, German soldiers terrified, U.S. Army history, military tactics, WWI history, combat psychology, American Expeditionary Forces, weapon legacy, WWI firearms, military doctrine, trench warfare, banned weapon controversy, tactical innovation, historical weapon, battlefield legend