The development of artillery really changed how World War I was fought.

1. Importance on the Battlefield:

• Artillery became a key part of military plans.
• Big guns, like Germany's "Big Bertha," could destroy enemy fortifications and cause a lot of damage.
• New types of artillery, like howitzers and mortars, made the destruction much worse than in earlier wars.

2. Fear Factor:

• The loud noise and power of artillery created fear among soldiers.
• Many troops suffered from stress due to the nonstop bombardments, which led to issues like shell shock.
• This fear pushed soldiers to dig trenches, as they wanted to be safe from the danger.

3. New Tactics:

• The changes in artillery forced commanders to come up with new strategies.
• It became really important for artillery and infantry to work together. Before attacks, artillery would fire on enemy positions to weaken their defenses.
• A new approach called "creeping barrages" was used, where artillery fire would move forward ahead of the soldiers to help keep them safe while advancing.

4. Technology Advances:

• New kinds of artillery shells, like high-explosive and gas shells, added more options for attack.
• Using artillery spotters made targeting much better, making attacks more efficient.
• Innovations like barometric fuses allowed shells to explode at set heights, increasing their destructive power.

5. Supply Issues:

• Relying on heavy artillery created problems in moving them and their ammunition.
• Supply routes became key targets, leading to fierce battles over important railroads needed for transporting the artillery.
• More skilled workers were needed to operate and fix these complex machines, increasing the demand for trained soldiers.

6. Impact on Defenses:

• The power of artillery made traditional defenses almost useless.
• Heavily fortified cities like Verdun got severely damaged, leading armies to rethink how to defend themselves.
• Armies started using more flexible strategies instead of static fortifications.

7. Casualties:

• Artillery caused a large number of deaths, with estimates showing that about 70% of soldier deaths were due to artillery fire.
• The massive amount of artillery fire caused extreme destruction on both sides.
• Civilians also suffered a lot, especially in places where artillery was used without care.

8. Lasting Effect:

• The changes and strategies developed during World War I greatly influenced future wars, making artillery an important part of military plans.
• The lessons learned about using artillery with other technologies, like tanks and planes, shaped how wars were fought later on.

To sum it up, the growth of artillery greatly changed World War I by reshaping military strategies, impacting soldiers' mental states, creating logistical problems, and leading to high casualty rates. The changes made during this time laid the groundwork for modern warfare, influencing future battles and planning. The war showed that artillery was not just a weapon, but also a complex tool that affected the actions and lives of millions of soldiers and civilians.