Size: 1.5 inches tall

Shrapnel consisted of a hollow shell which was packed internally with (typically) small steel balls or lead, together with an amount of gunpowder, and was the most common form of artillery deployed in 1914. Timed fuses were soon developed and were designed to explode while in mid-air above the enemy's trench positions.  The rapid dispersal of the shell's contents, be it lead or steel, was designed to cause maximum casualties with minimal artillery effort; in essence a modern-day equivalent of the previous century's grapeshot. Soon both sides began developing new helmets and experimenting with new armor to protect their soldier from this raining steel. Thus, the once mandated light cloth caps worn by infantrymen in 1914 were rapidly replaced by steel helmets which afforded at least some protection against the rain of steel or lead.