"The Use of Bayonets during the First World War" Topic

"This picture features a bayonet from our archives, along with its scabbard and bracket to attach to its rifle. The soldier in the trenches holding his bayonet rifle is one of the most evocative, lasting images from the First World War.

The earliest mention of the bayonette dates back to the late 16th Century, and may have simply referred to a type of knife. It may have originated as a hunting weapon, allowing the hunter to fend off their prey in the event of a missed shot. The weapon was developed from the pike by the French in the 17th century, whose socket bayonet had a sleeve that fitted around the barrel, and was locked with a stud. This enabled the gun to be fired with the bayonet firmly secured in place, and it was adopted by armies throughout Europe.

The bayonet later developed into a defence weapon for the infantry soldiers. The development of breech-loading rifles in the 19th century provided infantrymen with the firepower capacity to beat off a cavalry charge. It may have seemed a rudimental weapon against the technological progress of shelling, machine guns, and rapid-fire artillery, however, bayonet training remained a major part of frill training, even into the Second World War. It was even employed by the US in training armed forces in Vietnam. Its use was thought by the army generals to be more for psychological benefit than practical…"
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Amicalement
Armand

It has been argued that the fixed bayonet has demonstrated itself to be a powerful psychological weapon when employed with aggression. I recall having read of small unit bayonet charges in WW1, WW2, Korea and Vietnam causing the enemy to break and flee before contact, even when they outnumbered the attackers.

B