History's Most Terrifying Conventional Weapons

FoxNews.com ^ | Monday, January 05, 2009 | Catherine Donaldson-Evans and Paul Wagenseil

[Joiseydude]

Modern conventional weapons, deadly as they are, have no monopoly on terrorizing soldiers and civilians. Many military innovations of the past scared the enemy senseless — especially when only one side got to use them.

"When you defeat someone psychologically, that's really how you win battles," says Pentagon spokesman and artillery officer Lt. Col. Mark Wright. "If [enemy forces] think they've been beaten, they're going to turn and run."

Here, then, are five of the most terrifying conventional weapons of all time. Each was effective because it was a surprise introduction to a conflict, permitted essentially no defense, and only one side got to use it — though, as we'll see, that didn't always guarantee victory.

[Kevmo]

Here’s a thread for the military history ping list.

I think perhaps the flying hijacked 747 into a building might be among the most terrifying conventional weapons, mostly because it was in conjunction with TV. So many of these other weapons were only seen in action on a battlefield with perhaps hundreds or thousands of soldiers. Once there are hundreds of millions watching in fear, the terrification aspect is magnified beyond the damage the weapon does.

[AFreeBird]

What is the Paris gun and the V-2 rocket?

Man, just how old are you - six? Okay, so for the casual historian, the Paris gun might be obscure, but the V-2? The V-2 that was the genesis of Ballistic Missiles?

[AFreeBird]

V2 rocket terrified London during WWII, the engine would run for so long and the English would hear the motor cut out and the next sound was it hitting and detonating.

Incorrect. What you describe was the V-1, a precursor to the cruise missile. The V-2 was ballistic, you didn't hear it coming.

[Sig Sauer P220]

Most terrifying conventional weapon ever invented: The submarine—swift, silent and deadly!

You mean an SBD? Mrs. P229 would agree with that.

[LibWhacker]

Don't know if it's the most terrifying, but it's definitely the most awesome!

A GAU-8/A Avenger for an A-10

[MeanWestTexan]

Again, if deemed “coventional” — chemical weapons would seem the most terrifying.

Mustard gas, in particular. I

[philled]

I guess they didn’t ask anyone over at DU because before the conventions they were terrified of the Crap Cannon...

[Sig Sauer P220]

You mean an SBD? Mrs. P229 would agree with that.

Make that Mrs. P220. P229 was taken when I was subscribin.

[Joiseydude]

[TalonDJ]

the engine would run for so long and the English would hear the motor cut out and the next sound was it hitting and detonating.

You are probably thinking of the V1. The V2's motor would have been 'off' before it was over england.

[TalonDJ]

Why only go that far back?
1 - Rock
2 - Stick
3 - Thrown Rock
4 - Stick with a rock tied to the end.
5 - Pointy stick
6 - Stick with a pointy rock tied to the end
.....

[TalonDJ]

I think perhaps the flying hijacked 747 into a building might

I assume you mean a 767.

[A Texan]

Damn you!!!

[Steve Van Doorn]

I like you guys list more as far as the weapons. But there are also armies with very strong reputations.
Such as the Spartans, early roman army, red coats and US military.

[Red Badger]

Admit it. You were terrified, right?..........

[Tommyjo]

You are mixing up the V-1 and V-2. The V-1 was audible and visible. The V-2 was not. The only way to defeat the V-2 was to overrun the launch sites. The V-2 gave no warning or time to react due to the speed that it travelled at.

[Ramius]

Thought about it... But those things aren’t technologies that only one side might have, except perhaps your #6. The chipped flint spear or axe might be really the first weapon that gave a decided advantage to the side that knew how to make them. :-)

[Red Badger]

Actually, a Marine with his M-1 qualifies.

Or a Marine and his ONTOS.......

[Steve Van Doorn]

I notice no one picked a battleship. The original battleships were designed to terrorize.

I guess they didn't live up to their names like dreadnaught.

[TalonDJ]

I be the first guy to tie a rock to a stock was pretty feared. But the sling, now that had to be a scary, near magic, killing machine before other people figured it out. To say nothing of the bow.
Another wicked cool one would have been the atlatl.