A German aerial flechette from World War I. In the early years of World War I, flechettes (a French patent) were dropped from aircraft as a weapon against ground troops. They did not contain explosives, but gained considerable kinetic energy while falling, making them capable of easily piercing soft covers as well as helmets. Injuries caused by a hit were fatal in most cases; however, flechettes were generally ineffective and were therefore replaced by bombs and machine guns.
